Several circulating tumour markers for
non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been identified. Recent studies have focused on a new family of markers--hematopoietic
growth factors. Some clinical investigations have shown
cell surface receptors for
interleukin 3 (IL-3) in
lung cancer cells and autologous production of
IL-3 in various human cell lines derived from NSCLC. The purpose of this investigation was to compare serum levels of
IL-3 in
non-small-cell lung cancer with a control group, to assess pre- and post treatment levels of
IL-3 in relation to levels of commonly accepted tumour markers such as carcino-embryonic
antigen (CEA) and
cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA 21-1), and to define the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of
IL-3 in NSCLC. In this study, the serum level of tumour markers was measured in 34 patients with NSCLC and in 20 healthy subjects. Serum samples were drawn before surgery and 10, 30, 90, 180 and 270 days after surgery.
IL-3 and CEA were assayed using ELISA system and
CYFRA 21-1 was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Preoperative level of
IL-3 was significantly increased in
cancer patients relative to the control group. Concentrations of tumour markers were decreased after surgery and then increased (IL-3 and CEA) during chemio- or
radiotherapy. The diagnostic sensitivity of
IL-3 was 44% and the diagnostic specificity--85%. This investigation is one of the first studies assessing serum levels of
IL-3 in the
cancer patients. These results suggest that
IL-3 may be useful in diagnostics of NSCLC, but this subject needs further studies.