Adverse prognosis of GM-CSF expression in human cutaneous melanoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background

GM-CSF, a myeloid-priming cytokine, exhibits context-dependent effects on tumor growth and, despite its clinical use, its role in human melanoma remains undefined.

Methods

A stage II-IV primary melanoma cohort (n = 80) was interrogated for GM-CSF/GM-CSFR expression at the single-cell level in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and tumor cells (TCs). Invasion, survival and lung colonization assays were used to determine the pro-tumoral role of GM-CSF, and RNA-seq to analyze transcriptomic profiles.

Results

GM-CSF was significantly enriched in TAMs and TCs of primary cutaneous melanoma samples from patients who subsequently developed metastasis, compared with non-metastasizing ones, correlating with reduced disease-free and overall survival (p < 0.0001). GM-

SUBMITTER: Garcia-Martinez E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12555876 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature