INCREASE IN LYMPHOCYTE SUBSETS FOLLOWING TREATMENT OF HIV-ASSOCIATED NEUTROPENIA WITH GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has be en used to treat neutropenia in patients with cancer and HIV disease, Since lymphocyte counts have been reported to increase with G-CSF ther apy, we studied the effect of G-CSF on lymphocyte subsets in HIV-infec ted patients. Six patients with HIV-associated neutropenia were treate d with G-CSF and had significant increases in white blood cell counts, G-CSF induced a significant rise in total lymphocytes, total T-cells, CD8 T-cells, and natural killer cells. A smaller but statistically si gnificant increase in CD4 T-cells and cytotoxic CD8 T-cells was also n oted. We conclude that G-CSF has the ability to raise lymphocyte subse t levels in patients with HIV disease. The potential immunologic benef it of G-CSF therapy merits further investigation. (C) 1996 Academic Pr ess, Inc.