Regular Article

British Journal of Cancer (1999) 80, 229–235. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6690344 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 26 March 1999

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) transiently suppresses mitogen-stimulated T-cell proliferative response

E Reyes1, I García-Castro2, F Esquivel1, J Hornedo2, H Cortes-Funes2, J Solovera3 and M Alvarez-Mon1

  1. 1Medicine/Immune System Diseases Oncology Service, Department of Medicine 'Principe de Asturias' University Hospital, Alcalá University, Carretera Madrid-Barcelona, Km 33.600, Alcalá de Henares, 28871, Madrid, Spain
  2. 2Medical Oncology Department, '12 de Octubre' University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
  3. 3Amgen, S.A. Barcelona, Spain

Received 12 February 1998; Revised 30 July 1998; Accepted 9 September 1998.

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Abstract

Granulocyte colony-stimulation factor (G-CSF) is a cytokine that selectively promotes growth and maturation of neutrophils and may modulate the cytokine response to inflammatory stimuli. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of G-CSF on ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) functions. Ten patients with breast cancer were included in a clinical trial in which r-metHuG-CSF was administrered daily for 5 days to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells. Ten healthy women were also included as controls. Our data show that G-CSF treatment induces an increase in peripheral blood leucocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts. We have found a modulation in the percentages of CD19+, CD45+CD14+, CD4+CD45RA+ and CD4+CD45RO+ cells in PBMC fractions during G-CSF treatment. We have also found a significant reduction in the proliferative response of PBMC to mitogenic stimulation that reverted 14 days after the fifth and the last dose of G-CSF. Furthermore, it was not associated with significant changes in the pattern of cytokine production. The mechanism of this immunoregulatory effect is probably indirect since G-CSF receptor has not been found in T lymphocytes. This mechanism and its potential clinical applications remain to be elucidated.

Keywords:

G-CSF, breast cancer, autologous peripheral blood transplantation, T lymphocytes

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