GENE-EXPRESSION OF GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR (G-CSF) IN NONSMALL CELL LUNG-CANCER

Autonomous or continuous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) -production in malignant neoplasms is considered to induce leukocytosi s without apparent infection. We examined G-CSF gene expression in hum an non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and discussed its 'clinicopathol ogical significance. Northern blot analysis revealed G-CSF gene expres sion in 14 of 84 surgical specimens (16.7%, 10/30 squamous cell carcin oma, 3/50 adenocarcinoma, 114 large cell carcinoma). Eight patients (5 7.1%, 8/14) with NSCLC showing G-CSF gene-expression had peripheral bl ood leukocytosis (>8,000 /mu l). The prognosis was significantly worse in 10 stage I or II NSCLC showing G-CSF gene-expression, than in the NSCLC not showing G-CSF gene expression (p<0.01, Cox-Mantel test). The se findings suggest that G-CSF gene expression is common event in the early stages of primary NSCLC, while it cannot completely explain the leukocytosis induced by lung cancer.