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Leucomax (Novartis): Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Leucomax (Novartis) - 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 Leucomax (Novartis)

Leucomax (Novartis) 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.

 

Leucomax (Novartis) for patients

 

Leucomax (Novartis) 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.

 

Leucomax (Novartis) 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 Leucomax (Novartis)

Leucomax (Novartis) Indication

For the treatment of cancer and bone marrow transplant

Mechanism Of Action
Leucomax (Novartis) 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
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);
Dosage Forms of Leucomax (Novartis)
Injection, solution Subcutaneous
Chemical IUPAC Name
Human granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor
Chemical Formula
C639H1006N168O196S8
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals