Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) has immunomodulatory effects in patients with small cell lung cancer

This study was designed to analyze the immunmodulatory effects induced in vivo by recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) given in combination with anti-cancer chemotherapy. Hematologic and cytokine kinetics were studied in twelve prospectiveiy enrolled patients with small cell lung cancer receiving cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine alternating with cisplatin, etoposide. On peripheral blood monocytes expression of MHC class II molecules and of CD44 was markedly stimulated with rhGM-CSF and plasma levels of sCD25 and IL-1RA were elevated. in addition, levels was observed in comparison to historical controls. Our data encourage further clinical trials analyzing the clinical relevance of the immunostimulation induced by rhGM-CSF.