Inhalation of Granulocyte-macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) for Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP)

The purpose of the study is to evaluate if inhaled granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor delay the increase in alveolar-arterial oxygen difference, compared to no treatment, for adult patients with mild-to-moderate autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in China over a two-year period.

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP, previously known as idiopathic PAP) is a rare interstitial lung disease elicited by the formation of autoantibodies which neutralize the activity of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) which decreases macrophage clearance of surfactant.

Currently, the standard treatment strategy for PAP is whole lung lavage (WLL)，which is invasive and has limitations. Inhaled GM-CSF therapy became a new option for PAP patients not only because of its effectiveness and safety, but it is convenient way for patients who are reluctant to do operation as well. We are planning to prospectively evaluate if inhaled granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor would delay the increase in alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (A-aDO2, which is the most sensitive factor in evaluating APAP5), compared to placebo, for patients with mild-to-moderate autoimmune pulmonary alveolar over a two-year period.

A total of 42 subjects with APAP who meet the inclusion criteria will be enrolled at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. After observe APAP patients for 3 months to rule out patients who resolved spontaneously, the participants will undergo randomization (by random number table)and stratified into two different groups by their DSS. Then they will be treated by GM-CSF (using nebulizer, 150ug bid) every other week or no treatment for 6 months, and will be followed on an outpatient basis at 2 weeks, and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months after initiation of therapy.

Eligibility Criteria:
Accessible population:

Adult patients with mild-to-moderate autoimmune pulmonary alveolar and without spontaneous remission will be enrolled at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital.

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult autoimmune PAP subjects will be included: 1) a positive PAS stain from BALF or lung biopsy; 2) high level of serum anti-GM-CSF antibody (\>2.39ug/ml, the cut-off point in our hospital); 3) age above 18 years old; 4) exclude hereditary and secondary PAP.
* Able to give written informed consent and comply with the requirements of the study.
* Patients are not eligible for the whole lung lavage (WLL), decided by clinicians.
* Eligibility for GM-CSF inhalation: 1) Disease severity score (DSS) is 1-3; 2) No treatment with GM-CSF therapy or WLLin the 3 months prior to enrollment. Definition of DSS2: 1, no symptom and PaO2\>=70mmHg；2, PaO2\>=70mmHg with symptoms；3, PaO2\>=60 and \<70mmHg; 4, PaO2\>=50 and \<60mmHg; 5, PaO2\<50mmHg.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients will be observed for 3 months and all APAP patients who resolved spontaneously will be excluded from our study.
* PAP resulting from another condition (e.g. occupational exposure to silica, underlying HIV, respiratory infections, myeloproliferative disorder or leukaemia);
* A normal or low-titre serum anti-GM-CSF antibody (≤2.39ug/ml);
* History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to humanized or murine monoclonal antibodies；
* Chronic lung disease associated with already existing respiratory failure (such as pulmonary emphysema or fibrosis);
* Other serious medical conditions which, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the patient unsuitable for the study.
* Pregnancy.