Recombinant Fusion Toxins Directed Against the Human Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) Receptor

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has an annual incidence of 2.4 cases per 100,000 persons and is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults (1 , 2 ). AML is a model for drug-resistant human cancers, and current therapies for AML possess a narrow therapeutic margin. The use of high-dose and intensive chemotherapy regimens produces remission in the majority of patients with AML; however, most cases subsequently relapse and eventually succumb to chemotherapy-refractory disease (3 , 4 ). Attempts to further increase chemotherapy dose intensity in AML treatment regimens often result in an increased incidence of therapy-related morbidity and mortality.