Increase of serum interleukin-2 and regression of myeloma after rhGM-CSF treatment of drug induced bone marrow aplasia.
Recombinant human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) was administered to a patient with multiple myeloma (IgA, stage IIA) who had a chemotherapy-induced bone marrow aplasia with granulocytopenia complicated by severe pneumonia and septicemia. The rhGM-CSF was given as i.v. infusions, 300-400 micrograms daily, for three weeks. The patient responded both hematologically and clinically with improved granulocyte counts and clearance of massive pulmonary infiltrates. We also observed a partial remission of the myeloma with decreasing s-IgA levels and reduced plasma cell infiltration of the bone marrow during a period of up to four months after the rhGM-CSF treatment. Immunological studies performed during and after cytokine administration showed an increase in serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels and HLA-DR positive T-lymphocytes indicating an activation of the immune system. It is suggested that rhGM-CSF induced immunological changes which may have contributed to the partial regression of the myeloma.
Division of Haematology, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
P
P
Bernell
P
P
Pisa
R
R
Hast
M
M
Hansson
B
B
Sandstedt
L
L
Stenke
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000473:pathology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor