Granulocyte–Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in the Therapy of Adults with De Novo Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia: An Update of a Double-Blind Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

We investigated whether granulocytemacrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) given concomitantly with chemotherapy (CT) improves the outcome of adults with de novo acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) by increasing the efficacy of CT and reducing infections. CT included cytarabine (ara-C) daunorubicin, and etoposide (DAV) for induction and early consolidation therapy and one cycle with high-dose (patients aged ≤50 years) or intermediate-dose ara-C (patients aged >50 years) /daunorubicin for late consolidation therapy. Eighty patients were randomized after DAV 1 to receive either GM-CSF (Escherichia coli, 250 µg/m2 per day, s.c.) or placebo starting 48 h prior to DAV II and the subsequent co…