Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and zidovudine in the treatment of neutropenia and human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) is a hematopoietic protein that has been studied both in vitro and in vivo in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Since both HIV infection primarily and zidovudine (formerly AZT) treatment secondarily may result in neutropenia, administration of GMCSF to persons with HIV infection is generating considerable interest. Despite in vitro studies demonstrating that the agent may stimulate HIV replication, in the presence of zidovudine a synergistic inhibition of replication occurs. Early clinical studies in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome indicate that GMCSF can raise neutrophil counts with or without concurrent zidovudine treatment. The long-term safety and tolerance of the combination has to be established.
Hewitt
R G
RG
Department of Medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo.
Morse
G D
GD
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015215:Zidovudine; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor