Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor for enhancing pulmonary host defense in acute and chronic radiation syndrome, therapeutic radiation intervention and cancer therapy
Methods and compositions for treating and alleviating symptoms of irradiation injuries, therapeutic radiation intervention and/or anti-cancer therapies in a subject via pulmonary airway administration of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or a compound with similar affinity to the specific alveolar GM-CSF receptor to enhance pulmonary host defense are provided.