ROLE OF GRANULOCYTE-MACROPHAGE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR AS ADJUVANT THERAPY FOR FUNGAL INFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER

A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the role of granulocyte-macrop hage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as adjuvant therapy for fungal infections in patients with cancer. GM-CSF was added to amphotericin B in the treatment of cancer patients with proven major-organ or disse minated fungal infection. The dose of GM-CSF ranged from 100 to 750 mu g/(m2.d). Of eight evaluable patients, six had a neutrophil response t o GM-CSF. Four of these patients were completely cured of the fungal i nfection, and two had a partial response. However, a capillary-leak sy ndrome developed in three patients, an adverse effect suggesting that the dose of GM-CSF was excessive.