GM-CSF Reverses Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

In a small cohort, 8 days of GM-CSF led to a significant increase in monocyte HLA-DR expression and some improvement in clinical parameters.

Many patients with sepsis die during the later course of their illness, possibly because of counterregulatory anti-inflammatory mechanisms that lead to the development of immunosuppression. Diminished expression of HLA-DR on the surface of circulating monocytes (mHLA-DR) is a biomarker for such sepsis-induced immunosuppression. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) has multiple immunostimulatory effects that may be useful in this condition.

Now, in a small, multicenter, double-blind study, researchers in Berlin have used restoration of mHLA-DR expression as a marker to assess whether therapy with GM-CSF might reverse sepsis-associated immunosuppression. They randomized 38 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and lo…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)