In vitro assessment of the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on primary human tumors and derived lines.
One hundred eighty-nine human tumor specimens were tested in a human tumor cloning assay to determine their growth response to human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Of these samples 48 were evaluable for response. Growth stimulation to greater than 150% of controls was noted in 1 of 12 lung cancers (8%) and 1 of 14 breast cancers (7%) but in no other instances for an overall rate of 2 of 48 (4.2%). A dose-response effect was not seen with each of the two stimulated samples responding only at the two lowest concentrations tested. In addition, 7 cell lines derived from human tumors were tested using a metabolic CO2 production assay without evidence of growth stimulation. Samples of normal bone marrow displayed the usual dose-dependent stimulation whether grown in agar or assayed metabolically. We conclude that human recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor has minimal effect on the growth of the solid tumors tested and that clinical trials to reduce chemotherapy-associated myelo-suppression may proceed without undue concern for enhancement of tumor growth.
Foulke
R S
RS
Brooke Army Medical Center, Division of Hematology/Oncology, San Antonio, Texas 78234.
Marshall
M H
MH
Trotta
P P
PP
Von Hoff
D D
DD
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014410:Tumor Stem Cell Assay
D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D006133:Growth Substances; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor