PROLIFERATIVE REACTION OF MYELOGENOUS LEUKEMIA-CELLS WITH CYTOKINES G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, SCF AND TPO

In recent years, many cytokines have been defined and some of them use d clinically. In hematological malignancies, cytokines, including gran ulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), have been widely used for l eukopenia after chemotherapy. However, in acute myelogenous leukemia ( AML), some leukemic cells may be induced to proliferate by these cytok ines and they must be used with care. In this study, we have investiga ted cell reactivity and proliferation with G-CSF, granulocyte-macropha ge colony-stimulating factor (GM-CMF), macrophage colony-stimulating f actor (M-CSF), stem cell factor (SCF) and thrombopoietin (TPO) in case s of AML. We have also investigated the reactivity of some myeloid leu kemia cell lines to TPO. G-CSF, GM-CSF, M-CSF, SCF and TPO caused prol iferation of leukemic cells in 25%, 58.3%, 8.3%, 21.1% and 0% of cases , respectively. Because of this result, the use of G-CSF in AML should be regarded as potentially hazardous. TPO did not cause proliferation of leukemic cells in any case of AML, or in cell lines except MO7E, w hich is a megakaryocytic cell line. This result suggests that TPO migh t cause proliferation of some megakaryocytic leukemia cells. We cannot conclude that TPO does not cause proliferation of other AML cells, as the number of cases was small and it has been reported elsewhere that leukemia cells may proliferate when exposed to TPO in 50% of AML case s. Reactivity of AML cells to TPO is an important factor when deciding the indications of TPO in AML and myelodysplastic syndrome. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.