[The plasma levels and diagnostic utility of selected hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) in breast cancer patients].

BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) are involved in the regulation of hematopoietic cells growth. Few clinical investigations have shown their autologous production both in vitro by human cell lines and in vivo by tumors, for example in breast cancer. We have investigated the plasma levels of selected cytokines (M-CSF, G-CSF, GM-CSF) and commonly accepted tumor marker (CA 15-3) before treatment of breast cancer patients in relation to the healthy controls. Additionally, the diagnostic criteria: sensitivity, specificity, the predictive value of positive and negative results were defined.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Tested group--80 patients with breast cancer, control group--20 healthy women. M-CSF, G-CSF and GM-CSF were determined using ELISA method, CA 15-3--was measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay--CMIA (ABBOTT).

RESULTS

Median values of HGFs and CA 15-3 plasma levels were significantly higher in breast cancer patients comparing to the control group. The diagnostic sensitivity of M-CSF was higher than CA 15-3 (59% and 44% respectively), and for the other tested cytokines. The combined analysis of all tested cytokines resulted also in the increased sensitivity range (81%), especially with CA 15-3 (91%). The diagnostic specificities were higher for M-CSF and CA 15-3 (equal 95%) and for other tested cytokines (equal 90%). Positive predictive values (PPV) were high for all tested parameters, and negative predictive values (NPV) were higher to exclude breast cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that tested cytokines can be clinically useful in diagnostics of breast cancer patients, especially with CA 15-3, but further investigation and confirmation by a prospective study are necessary.