Serum levels of CTSF and FBLN1 were significantly elevated in LCBM compared to controls (P < 0.001 for both) (Fig. 2E, F) while AKR1B10 was elevated in all groups with advanced NSCLC (LCBM, LM, BoM and ALC) irrespective of BM (Fig. 2G). Here, CTSF is linked to non-small cell lung carcinoma.