The biology and clinical applications of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

GM-CSF is a hematopoietic growth factor that regulates myeloid cell proliferation and maturation and enhances the function of terminally differentiated effector cells. Results of clinical trials with GM-CSF in a number of disease states suggest a potential role of this growth factor to stimulate hematopoiesis. Future use of GM-CSF will depend on further studies to optimize its therapeutic efficacy.