Antimony plus Recombinant Human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Applied Topically in Low Doses Enhances Healing of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Ulcers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases 2004-11, Vol.190 (10), p.1793-1796
• Main Authors: Santos, Jussamara B., de Jesus, Amélia Ribeiro, Machado, Paulo R., Magalhães, Andréa, Salgado, Kátia, Carvalho, Edgar M., Almeida, Roque P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Antimony - administration & dosage; Antimony - pharmacology; Antimony - therapeutic use; Antiprotozoal Agents - administration & dosage; Antiprotozoal Agents - pharmacology; Antiprotozoal Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - administration & dosage; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - pharmacology; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor - therapeutic use; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - drug therapy; Leshmaniasis; Male; Medical sciences; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Parasitic diseases; Protozoal diseases; Recombinant Proteins; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1086/424848

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) requires 2–6 months to heal. In an effort to reduce this healing time, we studied topically applied granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as an adjunct to antimonial therapy. Ten patients received antimony plus topical GM-CSF, and 10 patients received antimony plus placebo (saline). GM-CSF was diluted for topical use and was applied 3 times weekly for 3 weeks (1–2 µg/cm2/lesion). The mean ± SD healing time was 43 ±14 days in the GM-CSF group and was 104±79 days in the placebo group (P = .043). Ten (100%) of 10 patients in the GM-CSF group healed within 60 days, compared with 5 (50%) of 10 patients in the placebo group. Two of the patients in the placebo group required retreatment with antimony. In conclusion, topically applied GM-CSF is effective in the management of CL.