Blood cytokine response of low-dose molgramostim (rhGM-CSF)-treated patients

We examined leukocyte counts and ex vivo cytokine response of whole blood to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA) in patients under low-dose molgramostim therapy. Patients were injected subcutaneously daily for ten days with 1 mug/kg (n=9) or 2 mug/kg (n=14) molgramostim, Leukocytosis was observed in all patients, but only the eosinophil fraction was significantly increased in relation to other leukocyte populations. Ex vivo IFN-gamma release was decreased and IL-10 and IL-1ra secretion were increased in response to LPS or LTA, Thus, in non-neutropenic patients, leukocytosis can already be initiated by low doses of molgramostim, The ex vivo cytokine data suggest that these doses prime blood towards a systemic anti-inflammatory response. (C) 2000 Academic Press.