Uses of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in vaccine development

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a potent cytok ine capable of inducing differentiation, proliferation, and activation of a variety of immunologically active cell populations. In addition to its eff ects on stimulating granulocytic hematopoiesis, it also facilitates develop ment of both humoral and cellular mediated immunity. Accordingly, strategie s involving the use of GM-CSF as a vaccine adjuvant have attracted consider able attention. These strategies include the systemic administration of sol uble GM-CSF with an immunogen, and also its use as part of gene therapy app roaches to immunization. Because of the potency of this cytokine as an immu ne adjuvant, particular interest has focused on its use to overcome poorly immunogenic antigens such as those associated with intracellular infections and cancer. This review focuses on recent advances in the use of GM-CSF as a vaccine adjuvant. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.