Immunex

Immunex - General Information

Human, recombinant GM-CSF, expressed in yeast. Glycoprotein that is 127 residues. Substitution of Leu23 leads to a difference from native protein.

 

Pharmacology of Immunex

Immunex is used in the treatment of bone marrow transplant recipients or those exposed to chemotherapy an recovering from acut myelogenous leukemia, Leukine or GM-CSF is a hematopoietic growth factor which stimulates the survival, clonal expansion (proliferation) and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. GM-CSF is also capable of activating mature granulocytes and macrophages. After a bone marrow transplant or chemotherapy, patients have a reduced capacity to produce red and white blood cells. Supplementing them with external sources of GM-CSF helps bring the level of neutrophils back to normal so that they can better fight infections.

 

Immunex for patients

 

Immunex Interactions

Interactions between Leukine and other drugs have not been fully evaluated. Drugs which may potentiate the myeloproliferative effects of Leukine, such as lithium and corticosteroids, should be used with caution.

 

 

Immunex Contraindications

Leukine is contraindicated:

1) in patients with excessive leukemic myeloid blasts in the bone marrow or peripheral blood (3 10%).

2) in patients with known hypersensitivity to GM-CSF, yeast-derived products or any component of the product.

3) for concomitant use with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Due to the potential sensitivity of rapidly dividing hematopoietic progenitor cells, Leukine should not be administered simultaneously with cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiotherapy or within 24 hours preceding or following chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In one controlled study, patients with small cell lung cancer received Leukine and concurrent thoracic radiotherapy and chemotherapy or the identical radiotherapy and chemotherapy without Leukine. The patients randomized to Leukine had significantly higher incidence of adverse events, including higher mortality and a higher incidence of grade 3 and 4 infections and grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia.¹¹

 

Additional information about Immunex

Immunex Indication: For the treatment of cancer and bone marrow transplant
Mechanism Of Action: Immunex binds to the Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor receptor (GM-CSF-R-alpha or CSF2R) which stimulates a JAK2 STAT1/STAT3 signal transduction pathway. This leads to the production of hemopoietic cells and neutrophils
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Sargramostim
Synonyms: CSF; Colony-stimulating factor; GM-CSF; Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor precursor; Molgramostin
Drug Category: Immunomodulatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Anti-Infective Agents
Drug Type: Biotech; Approved; Investigational

Other Brand Names containing Sargramostim: Immunex; Leucomax (Novartis); Leukine (Berlex Laboratories Inc);
Absorption: Not Available
Toxicity (Overdose): Not Available
Protein Binding: Not Available
Biotransformation: Not Available
Half Life: Not Available
Dosage Forms of Immunex: Injection, solution Subcutaneous
Injection, powder, for solution Intravenous drip
Injection, solution Intravenous drip
Injection, powder, for solution Subcutaneous
Chemical IUPAC Name: Human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor
Chemical Formula: C639H1006N168O196S8
Sargramostim on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sargramostim
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals