Antifugal Effect of Recombinant Human Granulocyte-macrophage Stimulating Factor (rhGM-CSF) in Patients Post Allo-HSCT

Effect of Granulocyte-macrophage Stimulating Factor on Prevention and Treatment of Invasive Fungal Diseases in the Recipients of Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Phase 4 Trial

We conducted a prospective, multicenter, open-label randomized trial to compare the antifungal effect of Recombinant Human Granulocyte-macrophage Stimulating Factor (rhGM-CSF), Recombinant Human Granulocyte Stimulating Factor (rhG-CSF) or a combination of rhGM-CSF and rhG-CSF for neutropenic patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

From Sept 2009 to Dec 2012, we recruited consecutive patients with hematological diseases undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation at 5 institutions in China. Recipients between ages of 14 to 60 years old were eligible. Eligible patients were randomized to receive once daily subcutaneous 5-7μg/kg/d GM-CSF (Molgramostim, TOPLEUCON®; Xiamen Amoytop Biotech Co., Ltd., China) (GM-CSF group), 5-7μg/kg/d G-CSF (G-CSF group), or a combination of 2-3μg/kg/d GM-CSF and 2-3μg/kg/d G-CSF each (G-CSF+GM-CSF group). Administration of CSFs was started on day 5 post-transplant and continued until recovery from neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] > 1.5×10(9)/L for 2 consecutive days). If absolute neutrophil count (ANC) decreased to < 1.5×10(9)/L within 5 days after withdrawal of CSFs, the same CSF would be resumed until the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) reached 1.5×10(9)/L again. All patients received antimicrobial prophylaxis with oral levofloxacin 500 mg daily and antifungal prophylaxis with oral fluconazole 200 mg daily.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 14~60 years old
• Allogenic hematological stem cell transplantation(HSCT) patients.
• Cardiac ejection factor ≥ normal upper limit, Aspartate aminotransferase and/or Alanine aminotransferase < 2 upper limit of normal, and/or total bilirubin < 2.5 upper limit of normal, creatinine < upper limit of normal.
• Informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of proven, probable or possible fungal infection at the time of enrollment.
• Patients were receiving anti-fungal treatment with proven SFI before transplantation.
• A history of hypersensitivity to G-CSF or GM-CSF.