Efficacy of Granulocyte–Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor in Acquired Alveolar Proteinosis

Abstract

Acquired alveolar proteinosis is a rare lung disease of adults characterized by excessive accumulation of surfactant.¹ Standard therapy is whole-lung lavage, which usually provides temporary symptomatic benefit.¹ In mice lacking the hematopoietic regulator granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a pulmonary abnormality develops that resembles alveolar proteinosis.^2,3 Therefore, we initiated a trial of recombinant human GM-CSF therapy in a patient with this disease after obtaining the approval of the institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the patient.