title: Endocrine effects of human recombinant interleukin-3 in cancer patients.
abstract: It is known that several cytokines can exert hormonal effects. At present, no data are available about the possible influence of IL-3 on the endocrine system. In order to investigate the endocrine effects of IL-3 in humans, we have evaluated serum levels of cortisol, beta-endorphin, GH, PRL, FSH, LH, TSH and melatonin in response to intravenous injection of IL-3 at a dose of 1 mcg/kg b.w. at 6.00 p.m. The study was performed in 5 non-small cell lung cancer patients. GH increased significantly in response to IL-3. PRL showed a progressive decrease after IL-3 injection, but its variations were not statistically significant. All other hormones, including cortisol, were not affected by IL-3. This preliminary study shows that IL-3 may exert endocrine effects in humans, which would seem at variance with previously reported results on most other cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oncological Radiotherapy, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lissoni
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rovelli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tisi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ardizzoia
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perlangeli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tancini
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007377:Interleukin-3 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007377:Interleukin-3; D011388:Prolactin; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone