Abstract
To investigate whether autoimmunity against thyroid antigens is induced or exacerbated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies were studied in 14 patients with advanced breast cancer and 11 with soft-tissue sarcoma who received several cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus GM-CSF 250 micrograms/m2 intravenously daily for 10 days in every 21 day cycle. All patients had normal thyroid function before treatment. In 2 patients with pre-existing thyroid antibodies, thyroid dysfunction developed but disappeared after cessation of GM-CSF. No other autoimmune abnormalities appeared. Stimulation of antigen-presenting cells by GM-CSF may bring about this phenomenon.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Autoantibodies / analysis
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Autoimmune Diseases / chemically induced
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
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Autoimmune Diseases / physiopathology*
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Autoimmunity / drug effects*
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Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Breast Neoplasms / immunology
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Female
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Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage
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Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / adverse effects*
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Humans
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Hypothyroidism / chemically induced
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Hypothyroidism / immunology
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Hypothyroidism / physiopathology*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Sarcoma / drug therapy
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Sarcoma / immunology
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Soft Tissue Neoplasms / drug therapy
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Soft Tissue Neoplasms / immunology
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Thyroid Hormones / immunology
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Thyroiditis / chemically induced
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Thyroiditis / immunology
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Thyroiditis / physiopathology*
Substances
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Autoantibodies
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Thyroid Hormones
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Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor