Background and objectives: We describe a case of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)-producing lung cancer.
Methods: A 53-year-old man underwent left upper lobectomy under diagnosis of lung cancer. The tumor obtained by a preoperative biopsy was analyzed.
Results: Preoperative data showed leukocytosis with left-shift of leukocytic morphology and thrombocytosis and an elevated serum GCSF level. Histological examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. A cell line, named LCAM, was established from the tumor and the cytokines in the culture medium were measured by enzyme immunoassay. GCSF and IL-6 were produced in large amounts by LCAM, but granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) were not. A proportion of LCAM expressed GCSF receptor on the cell surface, but IL-6 receptor could not be detected. LCAM proliferation was inhibited in the culture with antihuman GCSF antibody in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions: We suggest that LCAM proliferation is positively regulated by GCSF.