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.
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Japan.
M
M
Tachibana
M
M
Murai
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