[Biology and clinical applications of GM-CSF]

Granulocyte, macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte--colony--stimulating factor (G-CSF) are two of the growing number of recognized cytokines involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis. The purification of these factors and the subsequent cloning of the DNAs which encode these proteins have led to their widespread clinical use in the setting up of therapy of disease-induced myelosuppression. GM-CSF has a broader spectrum of potential targets than G-CSF and promotes growth of progenitors of several myeloid lines and, to a lesser extent, of the megakaryocyte line. The pleiotropic effects of GM-CSF could therefore, theoretically, be an advantage compared with the more restricted activity of G-CSF. Its greatest potential use appears to be in the amelioration of neutropenia following myelosuppressive therapy. GM-CSF has demonstrated efficacy in decreasing the duration of neutropenia, decreasing the attendant infection, and enhancing the ability to deliver full doses of myelosuppressive therapy. GM-CSF can also reverse the neutropenia of myelodysplastic syndrome and aplastic anemia. It enhances recovery from bone marrow transplantation and thus reduce the attendant morbidity of this procedure. This hematopoietic growth factor may also enhance recruitment and harvest to peripheral stem cells. At clinically usefull dosages GM-CSF is generally well tolerated.