Physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of glycosylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (lenograstim).

Lenograstim, glycosylated recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rHuG-CSF), is a glycoprotein that contains 4% O-glycosides with an approximate molecular weight of 20 kDa. The carbohydrate chain contributes to stabilisation of the protein by its ability to suppress polymerisation due to pH changes and to prevent denaturation at elevated temperatures. The carbohydrate chain also has an important role in maintaining biological stability in normal human serum. Furthermore, it is shown that glycosylated rHuG-CSF is more stable and resistant to degradation than non-glycosylated rG-CSF in vitro. In addition, we show the remarkable effects of combined therapy of lenograstim with an antibiotic in severe neutropenic infection models. These data demonstrate the possibility that such combination therapy may be applied to neutropenic patients with serious infections and that there is increased efficacy of antibiotic treatment when administered concurrently with lenograstim.