Role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of patients with HIV infection

The recombinant human colony-stimulating factors, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are hematopoietic cytokines that increase neutrophil number and enhance their function. In patients with HIV infection, G-CSF and GM-CSF have reversed or prevented neutropenia even during periods of full-dose myelotoxic therapy. Both colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) also have improved defects in neutrophil function in the setting of HIV infection. In non-neutropenic animal models of opportunistic bacterial or fungal infections, use of CSFs has increased survival. Future clinical applications of CSFs may include the adjunctive treatment of specific HIV-related opportunistic infections in addition to an expanding role in the treatment of HIV-associated neutropenia and defects in neutrophil function.