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G-CSF therapy improved survival in patients with alcoholic hepatitis

Patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis treated with standard therapy plus granulocyte colony-stimulating factor had a greater survival rate after therapy compared with those treated without it, according to data from a recent study.

Forty-six patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis were included in the cohort and randomly assigned to receive standard medical therapy (SMT) with 5 mcg/kg granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) every 12 hours for 5 days (group A; n=23) or SMT (group B; n=23). Researchers analyzed CD34⁺ cells on day 6, as well as model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and survival through 90 days.

After 5 days, researchers saw an increase in the number of CD34⁺ plus cells in peripheral blood among the patients in group A compared with patients in group B (P=.019). A reduction in median percent change in CTP, MELD score and Maddrey’s discriminant function at 1, 2 and 3 months was observed in group A compared with group B (P<.05). The 90-day survival rate was higher among patients in group A vs. those in group B (78.3% vs. 30.4%, P=.001). Five patients who received SMT and G-CSF died compared with 18 patients who only received SMT (P=.001).

“We conclude that G-CSF therapy was safe and effective in the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells and improved liver function and survival at 3 months in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis compared with SMT alone,” the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.