[Plasma level of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in the course of breast cancer treatment]

Macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) is one of the glycoproteins called colony-stimulating factors (CSF). Some clinical investigations have shown an autologous production of M-CSF in various human cell lines in vitro and by tumour cells in vivo. We have investigated the plasma level of M-CSF and commonly accepted tumour marker, such as CA 15-3 in the plasma of 44 patients with breast cancer. Blood was taken before and in 30 and 180 days after surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: A (stage 1) and B (stage 11). M-CSF was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), CA 15-3 was measured by microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). M-CSF plasma levels were significantly higher in breast cancer patients before and after surgery comparing to the control group. The M-CSF level was higher in group B (11 stage) compared to the group A (I stage). These results suggest the potential role of M-CSF in the diagnostics and monitoring of breast cancer chemotherapy.