Journal article
Immunomodulation with interferon-gamma and colony-stimulating factors for refractory fungal infections in patients with leukemia
Cancer, Vol.104(1), pp.199-204
2005
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.21142
PMID: 15929126
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Invasive fungal infections (IFI) in immunocompromised patients are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, despite appropriate antifungal treatment and recovery from neutropenia. The outcome of these infections depends significantly on the overall state of immunosuppression, including mainly the phagocytic system (neutrophils and macrophages). Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), granulocyte-colony—stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage—colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) are cytokines that enhance the activity of neutrophils and macrophages.
METHODS
The authors reported 4 patients with leukemia and refractory invasive candidiasis or trichosporonosis despite 1–13 months of appropriate antifungal treatment.
RESULTS
Cytokines were administered for 1.5–5 months without significant toxicity. For each patient, initiation of interferon-gamma plus a colony-stimulating factor resulted in a clinical response. The contribution of cytokines to control the fungal infection in these 4 patients was suggested by the strong inflammatory reaction observed in the 2 patients who had an immediate response (within 7 days of initiation of cytokine therapy) and by the good outcome in the 2 other patients in whom antifungal agents were discontinued at the start of cytokine therapy.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggested a potential role for immunomodulation in patients with leukemia with refractory invasive fungal infections.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Immunomodulation with interferon-gamma and colony-stimulating factors for refractory fungal infections in patients with leukemia
- Creators
- M. Cecilia DIGNANI - Division of Supportive Care, Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United StatesJohn H REX - Centers for Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas, United StatesKa-Wah GHAN - Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, United StatesGordon DOW - Department of Infectious Diseases, The Moncton Hospital, Moncton, New Brunswick, CanadaMargarida DEMAGALHAES-SILVERMAN - Department of Internal Medicine, Division of He matology and Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United StatesAnnemarie MADDOX - Division Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United StatesThomas WALSH - Immunocompromised Host Section, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United StatesElias ANAISSIE - Division of Supportive Care, Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Cancer, Vol.104(1), pp.199-204
- DOI
- 10.1002/cncr.21142
- PMID
- 15929126
- NLM abbreviation
- Cancer
- ISSN
- 0008-543X
- eISSN
- 1097-0142
- Publisher
- Wiley-Liss
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2005
- Academic Unit
- Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984094368502771
Metrics
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