Use of rHu GM-CSF in renal-transplant patients developing leukopenia

Drug-Induced Hematological Cytopenia in Kidney Transplantation and the Challenges It Poses for Kidney Transplant Physicians

“…Data on GMC-CSF use in KTR has been scanty. It was found safe in various studies in improving white cell counts and reducing infections in kidney, liver, and heart transplant [ 258 – 262 ]. However, there is no randomized trial done on GM-CSF to assess its benefits and theoretical risk of rejection.…”

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and other immunomodulatory therapies for the treatment of infectious diseases in solid organ transplant recipients

“…No associated episodes of allograft rejection were reported, although the total number of reported cases is small. When GM-CSF was administered to seven adult renal transplant recipients with leukopenia, a reduction in infection and mortality was noted as compared with historical controls [44]. In a large study of 40 nonneutropenic patients with the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, more than one-third of whom were SOT recipients, GM-CSF upregulated adhesion molecules on the surface of neutrophils and monocytes and promoted resolution of infection [45].…”

Potential of colony-stimulating factors to improve host defense in organ transplant recipients

“…GM-CSF was found to be safe and to reduce the incidence of infections, the use of aggressive antibiotic therapy, the duration of hospital stay and mortality in seven renal transplant patients, in comparison to historical control patients [56]. This was also true in children after orthotopic liver transplantation [57].…”