ENDOCRINE EFFECTS OF GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR IN CANCER-PATIENTS

Aims and background: In addition to well-documented endocrine properti es of interleukins, hemopoietic growth factors could also exert hormon al activities. In fact, our previous studies have shown that GM-CSF ma y stimulate cortisol and GH release. In contrast, few data only are av ailable about the possible effects of G-CSF. This study was carried ou t to investigate endocrine effects of G-CSF in cancer patients. Method s: The study included 8 cancer patients who were investigated after G- CSF (0.3 mg subcutaneously) or during saline infusion alone as control by collecting venous samples at zero time and after 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. Serum levels of cortisol, GH, PRL, FSH. LH, TSH and melatonin were mea sured by the RIA method. Results: The circadian rhythm of cortisol was not influenced by G-CSF. No significant differences in mean levels of GH, PRL, FSH or LH were seen after G-CSF and during saline infusion. Both TSH and melatonin decreased after G-CSF, without, however, signif icant differences with respect to the values seen on saline alone. Con clusions: The study showed that G-CSF has no substantial endocrine aff ects in humans. Therefore, G-CSF would differ from GM-CSF not only for its hemopoietic properties, but also from an endocrine point of view.