[The plasma levels of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in breast cancer patients].

We have investigated the plasma levels of G-CSF and M-CSF and commonly accepted tumor marker CA 15-3 in 54 breast cancer patients before and after surgery and chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups: A (stage I) and B (stage II). G-CSF i M-CSF were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), CA 15-3 was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). G-CSF and M-CSF plasma levels (similarly as CA 15-3) were significantly higher in breast cancer patients before surgery comparing to the control group. After surgery plasma level of G-CSF (as CA 15-3) was decreased, but M-CSF increased. The plasma levels of tested cytokines and CA 15-3 increased after chemotherapy. This study suggests that tested cytokines (especially G-CSF) can be clinically useful in diagnostics of breast cancer, yet further investigation and confirmation by a prospective study are necessary.