[The plasma level of sL-selectin, myeloperoxidase and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in breast cancer patients in the course of chemotherapy]

Neutrophils kill tumor cells through mechanisms of cell cytotoxicity, dependent on myeloperoxidase. The proliferation and activity of mature granulocytes are stimulated by the granulocyte--colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the level of adhesion molecule--sL-selectin, as a measure of mature granulocyte activity and myeloperoxidase responsible for their cytotoxicity. Additionally we have investigated the plasma level of G-CSF which can increase in the breast cancer. We tested 15 patients with III stage breast cancer and 18 patients with IV stage. Plasma samples were drawn before and in the course (12th week) of chemotherapy. The control group consisted of 10 healthy women. The plasma levels of sL-selectin, myeloperoxidase and G-CSF were measured using a sensitive sandwich ELISA system. In breast cancer patients (III and IV stage) before and in the course of chemotherapy sL-selectin concentration was decreased, but myeloperoxidase concentration increased in comparison to the control group. The level of sL-selectin and myeloperoxidase in the 12th week was decreased when compared to the level before chemotherapy. These results suggest that levels of tested parameters do not correlate with G-CSF concentration.

[The plasma levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in breast cancer patients]

Granulocyte - colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage - colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) belong to hematopoetic growth factors (HGFs). Few clinical investigations have shown their autologous production both in vitro by human cell lines and in vivo by tumors.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We have investigated the plasma levels of G-CSF GM-CSF and CA 15-3 in breast cancer patients before and after surgery, and before and after chemotherapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The plasma levels of cytokines were measured in 46 patients with breast cancer and in 30 healthy subjects. G-CSF and GM-CSF were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), CA 15-3 was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA).

RESULTS

G-CSF and GM-CSF plasma levels were significantly higher in II stage breast cancer patients before surgery comparing to the control group. The plasma levels of tested cytokines were decreased after surgery, which suggested it's usefulness in evaluating breast cancer total resection. Both of tested cytokines after chemotherapy were increased, which suggested secretion from damaged breast cancer cells. Additionally we observed decreasing the plasma levels of cytokines, especially G-CSF in the 360th day after surgery. This latter result has prognostic function (no symptoms of cancer recurrence). In this study similar plasma levels of CA 15-3 were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Tested cytokines, especially G-CSF, can be used in diagnostics and monitoring breast cancer therapy.

The pretreatment plasma level and diagnostic utility of M-CSF in benign breast tumor and breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

In the present study, we investigated the plasma levels of M-CSF and commonly accepted tumor marker (antigen CA 15-3) in breast cancer patients in relation to the group with benign breast tumor and to the healthy controls. Additionally, we compared the plasma level of M-CSF with the tumor stage of breast cancer and defined the diagnostic criteria: sensitivity, specificity, the positive and the negative predictive values. Moreover, we defined the receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve for M-CSF and CA 15-3, and correlation between both parameters.

METHODS

M-CSF and CA 15-3 were measured in 80 patients with breast cancer, 17 patients with benign breast tumor and in 30 healthy subjects. M-CSF was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CA 15-3 was measured using a microparticle enzyme immunoassay kit (MEIA).

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences in the levels of circulating M-CSF and CA 15-3 in the breast cancer patients comparing to the group with benign breast tumor and to the control group. The levels of M-CSF and CA 15-3 were also significantly higher in patients with more advanced tumor stage. Statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the M-CSF and CA 15-3 levels. The M-CSF and CA 15-3 diagnostic specificities were 95%. The diagnostic sensitivity (59%), the positive predictive value (97%) and the negative predictive value (41%) were higher for M-CSF than for CA 15-3 (48.8%, 95% and 40.1%, respectively). The combined use of both cytokines resulted in the increase of the sensitivity to the range of 70%. We observed a higher range of the diagnostic sensitivity of M-CSF in more advanced breast tumor stage. The M-CSF area under the ROC curve was larger (0.801) than the ROC area of CA 15-3 (0.785).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that M-CSF is the good candidate for a breast cancer tumor marker.

[Plasma granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and activity of enzymes in granulocytes of breast cancer patients]

GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating fractor) is a hematopoietic growth factor. In vitro it stimulates the proliferation of myeloid progenitors and formation of granulocyte and macrophage colonies. It was found that GM-CSF in vitro also stimulates the phagocytic function of mature granulocytes. Indirect evidence of this might be the increase of the activity of granulocyte enzymes participating in phagocytosis. The aim of this study was to compare in vivo the level of GM-CSF in the plasma and activity of acid phosphatase (AcP), alkaline phosphatase (AP), peroxidase (MPO) and esterase in granulocytes of breast cancer patients. The activities of tested enzymes were measured by cytochemical methods in the blood of 14 patients before and 30 days after surgery (group A) and 15 patients before and in the course (12 week) of chemotherapy (groupB) and in 10 healthy subjects. GM-CSF concentration was measured in the plasma, using a sensitive sandwich ELISA. According to obtained results we can conclude that GM-CSF concentration in cancer patients before and after surgery compared to the control group was increased. GM-CSF concentration in patients before and in the course of chemotherapy was increased compared to the control group and patients before and after surgery. Enzyme activities participating in phagocytosis in cancer patients after surgery were increased compared to the enzyme activity in the control group. Enzyme activities in cancer patients in the course of chemotherapy were decreased when compared to the activities in the control group and when compared to the activities in cancer patients before and after surgery. The chemotherapy causes increase of GM-CSF concentration and enzyme activity.

[Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) as a candidate for the tumor marker of breast cancer]

Macrophage--colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) is one of the glycoproteins called colony-stimulating factors (CSFs). Some clinical investigations have shown autologous production of M-CSF various human cell lines in vitro and by tumors in vivo. We have investigated the plasma level of M-CSF and commonly accepted tumour markers, such as CA 15-3 in breast cancer. The plasma levels of cytokines were measured in 30. patients with breast cancer before surgery and 20. healthy subjects. The patients were divided into two groups: A (stage I) and B (stage II). M-CSF was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), CA 15-3 was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). Mean M-CSF and CA 15-3 plasma levels were significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to the control group. The M-CSF level was significantly higher (statistical significance) in group B (II stage) when compared to group A (I stage) and group B to control group. The diagnostic sensitivity of M-CSF were related to the stage of disease (group A--10%, group B--40%) and combined use with CA 15-3 (group A--30%, group B--65%). These results suggest a potential role for M-CSF as tumour marker for breast cancer.

[Neoplasm markers useful for diagnosis and monitoring of colonic neoplasms]

Serum tumor markers: CEA, CA 19-9, AFP, TPS may be helpful in early diagnosis of colorectal cancer, in the initial assessment of the extent of the disease, and in monitoring of the tumor growth or tumor volume reduction once cancer has been diagnosed and treatment started. Recent studies have focused on a new substances (candidates for tumour markers) of colorectal cancer.

[Cytokines as tumor markers in breast cancer]

Serum tumour markers may be helpful in early diagnosis of breast cancer, in the initial assessment of the extent of the disease, and in monitoring of the tumor growth or tumor volume reduction. Recent studies have focused the role of cytokines as a new group of tumour markers for breast cancer.

[Tumor markers useful for diagnosis and monitoring of lung neoplasm]

Serum tumour markers may be helpful in early diagnosis of lung cancer, in the initial assessment of the extent of the disease, and in monitoring of the tumour growth or tumour volume reduction, once cancer has been diagnosed and treatment started. Recent studies have focused especially--cytokines as a new group of tumour markers.

[Hematopoietic cytokines as tumor markers]

Serum tumour markers may be helpful in early diagnosis of cancer, in the initial assessment of the extent of the disease, and in monitoring of the tumour growth or tumour volume reduction, once cancer has been diagnosed and treatment started. Recent studies have focused on a new family of markers--hematopoietic cytokines.