By modulating the oxygen partial pressure of alveolar epithelial cells, the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) can stimulate and enhance the innate immune response in the lungs. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of rhGM-CSF in patients suffering from extrapulmonary-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted between February 2018 to July 2019, in which 66 sepsis patients with ARDS were recruited. The study randomly allocated the patients into 2 groups: an experimental group (34 cases receiving rhGM-CSF) and a control group (32 cases receiving placebo). The changes in lung function were assessed using the scores of PaO 2/FIO 2 ratio, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II, sequential organ failure assessment, and lung injury. Additionally, the study analyzed the levels of inflammatory cells, HLA-DR (%), high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB-1) (ng/mL), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (pg/mL), IL-6 (pg/mL), and GM-CSF (pg/mL) in both blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
The study results revealed that the experimental group significantly enhanced their pulmonary function compared to the control group. Moreover, the experimental group demonstrated higher levels of inflammatory cells and HLA-DR, whereas levels of HMGB-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were lower in blood ( P < .05, respectively). In addition, the experimental group displayed a higher alternatively activated cell ratio and GM-CSF levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (both P < .05); while HMGB-1 levels were significantly reduced ( P < .05). However, no notable difference observed in mortality between the 2 groups ( P > .05).
Administering rhGM-CSF to ARDS patients improves lung function and decreases blood inflammation. Nonetheless, while this treatment demonstrates efficacy in reducing these parameters, it does not significantly impact the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia or 28-day mortality in ARDS patients.