About LEUKINE® (sargramostim)
LEUKINE® (sargramostim) is a recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhu GM-CSF).(1) A CSF is a type of protein known as a growth factor naturally produced in the human body to help increase the number and function of white blood cells (WBCs). WBCs, which are made in the bone marrow, are responsible for fighting infections and initiating an immune response. Some cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, can kill healthy cells like WBCs in addition to killing cancer cells.
The benefit of LEUKINE is that it helps the body increase the number of WBCs — neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells. These three key WBCs provide protection from multiple types of foreign invaders, or pathogens, including bacteria, fungi and viruses.
LEUKINE is the only myeloid growth factor approved to shorten time to neutrophil recovery and to reduce the incidence of severe and life-threatening infections and infections resulting in early death following induction chemotherapy in older adults with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). In addition, LEUKINE is the only product approved to prolong survival of patients with bone marrow graft failure or engraftment delay, as compared to historical experience.
* LEUKINE® (sargramostim) is a recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhu GM-CSF) for use following induction chemotherapy in older adults with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) to shorten time to neutrophil recovery and to reduce the incidence of severe and life-threatening infections and infections resulting in death. LEUKINE is also used in multiple stem cell transplantation settings click here to read the full indications.
Important Information
In controlled clinical trials across all indications, no significant differences were observed between LEUKINE® (sargramostim) and placebo-treated patients in the type or frequency of adverse events with the exception of an increase in skin-associated events in the LEUKINE group in the pivotal AML trial. There were occasional reports of fluid retention, dyspnea, supraventricular tachycardia, and laboratory abnormalities (increases in creatinine, bilirubin, and liver enzymes). Other adverse events have been reported. Please see full prescribing information which contains a more complete listing of indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, and dosage and administration guidelines
