Open AccessGranulocyte colony-stimulating factor as a novel adjunct to improve hepatitis B vaccination
Author(s) -
Sudeep Tanwar,
Mark Thursz
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
world journal of hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 55
ISSN - 1948-5182
DOI - 10.4254/wjh.v2.i3.136
Subject(s) - medicine , adjunct , vaccination , immunology , regimen , context (archaeology) , immunization , granulocyte colony stimulating factor , hepatitis b , hematopoietic growth factor , titer , immune system , antibody , virology , haematopoiesis , chemotherapy , stem cell , paleontology , philosophy , linguistics , genetics , biology
Hepatitis B vaccination is successful in 95% of individuals. In the remainder, despite repeated attempts, immunization often remains unsuccessful. 'Non-response' leaves the individual susceptible to infection. Various strategies have been employed to overcome this. These include the use of adjuncts alongside conventional vaccines which activate immune responses. In this case report we demonstrate the successful use of the hematopoietic growth factor Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a vaccine adjunct in an individual who had previously failed conventional vaccination three times. The patient tolerated the regimen without any side effects and achieved a hepatitis B surface antibody titer greater than 100 IU/L. Use of G-CSF as a vaccine adjunct for hepatitis B has not previously been reported and the outcome in this case suggests that the use of G-CSF in this context warrants further exploration.