Effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on prevention of mucositis in head and neck cancer patients treated with chemo-radiotherapy.

Twenty-nine previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and pharynx underwent a treatment program with four courses of chemotherapy alternated with three courses of radiotherapy. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was administered at a dose of 5 micrograms/mg subcutaneously on the same day as radiation treatment in order to prevent mucositis. No grade 4 mucositis was reported; only four episodes of grade 2 mucositis and thirteen grade 2. Comparing these results with historical patients treated with the same chemotherapy-radiation program but without GM-CSF, the authors concluded that GM-CSF is an effective treatment for preventing mucositis produced by chemotherapeutic and/or radiotherapeutic interventions in patients at high risk of oropharyngeal mucosal damage.