G-CSF production in human bladder cancer and its ability to promote autocrine growth: a review.
A variety of non-hematopoietic malignant tumors have been demonstrated to secrete granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in amounts large enough to cause a significant systemic hematopoietic effect. Meanwhile, bladder cancer cells have been shown to secrete a variety of biological factors with no direct relation to urothelial cell origin. G-CSF produced by non-hematopoietic malignant cells in particular has been reported to be capable of inducing a leukemoid reaction in the host through intense stimulation of leukocyte production. This is most frequently associated with aggressive tumor cell growth and a poor clinical outcome. On the other hand, receptors for G-CSF have also been found on the cell surfaces of several non-hematopoietic cell types. These observations lead naturally to the tempting speculation that simultaneous acquisition of the ligand promotion and its receptor expression by a malignant tumor may provide a strong autocrine growth advantage. However, the role of autocrine growth factors in malignancy is even less clear, although it is undoubtedly important. In this review, G-CSF and tumor cell growth, particularly of human transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder, are discussed, and autocrine growth of human solid tumors is also summarized.
Tachibana
M
M
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Japan.
Murai
M
M
D019898:Autocrine Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D016188:Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
D016188:Receptors, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor