PMID: 2477905Jul 1, 1989Paper

The clinical use of hematopoietic growth factors.

Seminars in Hematology
F R Appelbaum

Abstract

Recombinant DNA technology has allowed for the production of large quantities of several hematopoietic growth factors as cloned gene products. Three of these factors--recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)--are currently undergoing clinical trials and appear to offer considerable promise for the treatment of a variety of hematopoietic abnormalities. Therapy with r-HuEPO can raise the hematocrit levels of patients with end-stage renal disease. Therapy with GM-CSF in patients undergoing marrow transplantation results in acceleration of granulocyte and platelet recovery by 1 to 2 weeks, leading to fewer infections and earlier discharge from the hospital. Other demonstrated uses of GM-CSF include treatment for aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and neutropenia associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Similar beneficial effects have been reported with G-CSF. Other hematopoietic growth factors, including the interleukins (IL)-1, -3, and -6, will soon be entering clinical trials. For the first time, the availability of a large number of hematopoietic growth f...Continue Reading

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