Topical effectiveness of molgramostim (GM-CSF) in sickle cell leg ulcers

Abstract

Background: Leg ulcers are a frequently neglected, severe complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), responsible for significant altering quality of life. The management of leg ulcers remains disappointing. Local application of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor has been shown to be effective in several types of chronic wound healing.

Methods: We report 5 homozygous sickle cell patients with 14 leg ulcers lasting from 1 month to 6 years, treated with topical dripping of molgramostim solution.

Results: Healing was obtained for 9/14 ulcers, with no local or systemic adverse reactions.

Comments: Molgramostim solution appears to be an adequate therapy for SCD leg ulcers but a more conclusive evaluation will depend on larger series of patients and other types of formulations for topical applications could be even more effective in the future.