Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor induces disease flare in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Abstract

Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhuG-CSF) is frequently given to patients with leukopenia or neutropenia caused by various underlying diseases. The treatment with rhuG-CSF is apparently safe, although cutaneous vasculitis and flares in patients with autoimmune diseases are described. We describe 2 patients with histologically proven antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated systemic vasculitis with disease flares after administration of rhuG-CSF, given to improve collection of stem cells prior to autologous stem cell transplantation.