Elevated serum granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels during radiotherapy predict favorable outcomes in lung and esophageal cancer.
The combination of exogenous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) with radiotherapy (RT) has been demonstrated to strengthen the antitumor immune response. We hypothesized that the variation of GM-CSF during RT was correlated with cancer prognosis. We measured serum levels of GM-CSF and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) before and during RT in 126 unresectable lung and esophageal cancer patients and performed survival analyses. Upregulated GM-CSF levels during RT correlated with longer overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). On the other hand, no difference in OS or PFS was seen at different IFN-γ levels. However, the "integrated factor", computed as the combination of high pre-RT IFN-γ levels and upregulated GM-CSF, correlated with prolonged OS and PFS. Multivariate analyses revealed that GM-CSF levels and the integrated factor were both stronger independent prognostic factors than disease stage. These data demonstrate that GM-CSF levels during RT can be used as a prognostic biomarker for lung and esophageal cancer.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Guodong
G
Deng
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Pingping
P
Hu
Division of Oncology, Department of Graduate, Weifang Medical College, Weifang 261053, PR China.
Jingxin
J
Zhang
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Qiqi
Q
Liu
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Ning
N
Liang
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Jian
J
Xie
Department of Oncology, The Fifth Peoples' Hospital of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China.
Lili
L
Qiao
Department of Radiation Oncology, Henan Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, Henan, China.
Hui
H
Luo
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Deguo
D
Xu
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Fengjun
F
Liu
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Xinshuang
X
Yu
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Zhen
Z
Liu
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Yajuan
Y
Lv
Department of Radiation Oncology, Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, PR China.
Jiandong
J
Zhang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015854:Up-Regulation
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
cancer prognosis; granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor; interferon-γ; radiotherapy