GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR IN INFECTIOUS-DISEASES

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is a glycoprotein produced by monocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts that stimulates the production and deployment of neutrophils for defense against infections. Physiologic studies have shown that endogenous levels are increased in patients with fever and neutropenia and in many infections. The cloning of the gene for granulocyte colony-stimulating factor permitted large-scale production of this factor and its introduction to therapy. Well-controlled trials now show that it will accelerate neutrophil recovery after myelotoxic chemotherapy and increase blood neutrophil counts in patients with severe chronic neutropenia. Preclinical studies strongly suggest that increasing the neutrophil supply by stimulating neutrophil production may be a useful adjunct to the treatment of bacterial infections. Clinical studies are now underway to test this hypothesis.