Adding granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF, sargramostim) to HAART reduces the rate of viral breakthrough in people with advanced HIV infection.
GM-CSF treatment was only associated with superior viral suppression in those with undetectable viral load at baseline or viral load below 30,000 copies.
US and Canadian researchers reported that the cytokine, which increases the production of neutrophils (white blood cells which control bacteria and fungi), also increased CD4 counts significantly compared to a control group. Those who received GM-CSF were less likely to develop new illnesses or die during the 24 weeks follow-up.
309 individuals on stable HAART were randomised to receive 250 microgrammes of GM-CSF or a placebo twice weekly by injection. Participants had experienced at least one AIDS-defining illness and had CD4 counts below 100 at baseline.
If you want to know more about GM-CSF, you can read an aidsmap.com review of the use of this drug in HIV and AIDS treatment.
Reference
Angel JB et al. Randomised double blind placebo controlled study of Leukine (GM-CSF) in advanced HIV disease: significant improvements in overall infections, CD4 cell counts and the duration of viral suppression. 39th ICAAC, San Francisco, abstract 693, 1999.