Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rh GM-CSF) after bone marrow transplantation
Link, H.; Freund, M.; Kirchner, H.; Stoll, M.; Schmid, H.; Bucsky, P.; Seidel, J.; Schulz, G.; Schmidt, R.E.; Riehm, H.
Behring Institute Mitteilungen 83: 313-319
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-0457 PMID: 3071346 Document Number: 307084
Bone marrow transplantation improves the chances of survival in a variety of hematological malignancies. However, infectious complications during the post-transplant phase contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. To reduce the duration of granulocytopenia, which is approximately 20 days after BMT, in this study patients with ALL, relapsed or high-grade NHL, relapsed or refractory HD, or Neuroblastoma stage III/IV, were given rh GM-CSF to assess the effects on hematological and immunological reconstitution after conditioning therapy and BMT. The results of 9 patients are presented. After autologous BMT and subsequent rh GM-CSF therapy, a peripheral blood neutrophil count of 500/microliters was reached within 8-12 days, i.e., between 7 and 10 days earlier than would have been expected without rh GM-CSF. Furthermore, it appeared that rh GM-CSF was useful in case of insufficient bone marrow regeneration post autologous transplant. The influence of rh GM-CSF after allogeneic BMT is not yet clear. Further studies will be necessary to evaluate the potential of this promising new drug after BMT.