Objective To evaluate therapeutic efficacy and safety of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) inhalation in patients with recurrent pulmonarv alveolar proteinosis (PAP). Methods Three cases of recurrent PAP were treated by GM-CSF inhalation after whole lung lavage. The clinical data of the pulmonary function and SpO 2, the clinical symptoms and pulmonary lesions were compared before and after treatment. Results The pulmonary function and manifestations were improved obviously after GM-CSF inhalation. Also the ground-glass opacity was improved in high-resolution CT. The pulmonary function and SpO 2 increased obviously after received GM-CSF inhalation. There were no any adverse reactions in 3 cases. Conclusion GM-CSF inhalation therapy is effective and safe in recurrent PAP, but the long-term effect remains to be seen.