title: GM-CSF as an alternative to dose modification of the combination zidovudine and interferon-alpha in the treatment of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.
abstract: Combined zidovudine (ZDV) and interferon-alpha (IFN) is an appealing therapy for AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma because of the antiretroviral as well as antitumor potential of this combination. Overlapping myelotoxicity of these agents, however, frequently complicates their clinical use. This phase I/II study was undertaken to test the safety and efficacy of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in those patients who became neutropenic while receiving ZDV (1,200 mg/day) and IFN (9 MU/day). Despite a "high-risk" population of patients, the tumor response rate among evaluable patients was 50% (33% overall). Sixty-four percent of patients required GM-CSF and all patients receiving GM-CSF had a prompt improvement in their absolute neutrophil count (ANC). The use of GM-CSF was associated with an improved end of study ANC (p less than 0.05), but was not associated with tumor response, CD4 count improvement, or improved change in hemoglobin concentration. GM-CSF/ZDV/IFN was not associated with increased toxicity over ZDV/IFN; however, two unusual events occurred in the GM-CSF/ZDV/IFN group: erythema multiforme and glucose intolerance. Dose-limiting thrombocytopenia and anemia were seen in two patients and anemia in one patient on GM-CSF/ZDV/IFN. No consistent alterations in serum HIV p24 antigenemia were noted in either group. The use of GM-CSF mitigated the neutropenia of combined ZDV and IFN. Further study evaluating the utility of this hematopoietic growth factor in combination therapies for AIDS patients is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Scadden
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Bering
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bresnahan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Groopman
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D006454:Hemoglobins; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015215:Zidovudine; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor