Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF): preclinical and clinical investigations

In conclusion, hematopoietic growth factors have been shown to enhance the recovery and function of circulating WBCs after standard-dose cancer therapy or high-dose cancer therapy with ABMT, and preliminary data strongly suggests that these agents may have the ability to restore leukocyte numbers and competence in AIDS, myelodysplastic syndromes, and other marrow failure states. Phase I and II trials of GM-CSF in patients with AIDS, cancer, marrow failure states, and following bone marrow transplantation have been published, and limited phase III randomized trial experiences have been reported as well. Overall, GM-CSF represents a fascinating molecule with which to modulate human hematopoiesis in vivo. The multilineage stimulatory effects of GM-CSF that are evident in vitro have not been striking or consistent in clinical trials. However, the effects of GM-CSF on the production and function of mature neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils have been noted in the vast majority of clinical scenarios in which this cytokine has been tested. The clinical benefits of GM-CSF have, to date, only been proven in large-scale randomized studies of recovery from ABMT for lymphoid neoplasms. However, further data regarding the use of GM-CSF in other clinical settings have been generated, and the final results are eagerly anticipated by the oncology community. The beneficial effects of GM-CSF following ABMT consisted not only of a shorter period of absolute neutropenia, but also fewer significant infections, a diminished requirement for intravenous antibiotic administration, and a shorter overall duration of inpatient hospitalization. The use of GM-CSF in clonal disorders of hematopoiesis, such as myelodysplasia or myeloid leukemias, requires caution before such applications can be routinely recommended, and the demonstration of safety in this setting from large randomized trials will be needed. Preliminary data from small randomized trials suggests that the incidence of evolution to leukemia in patients with myelodysplasia and the number of patients with regrowth of leukemia after induction treatment in relapsed patients with AML may not be significantly different than in patients who do not receive GM-CSF. Various neutropenic conditions (eg, idiopathic or congenital) may respond clinically to hematopoietic growth factors such as GM-CSF. Patients treated for 3 to 15 months continue to respond with significantly increased granulocytes and resolution of prior infection. The subcutaneous route of administration is convenient and patients seem to accept it readily. It is difficult to determine the extent to which adjunctive therapy with GM-CSF will be cost effective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)