Hematopoietic growth factor family for stroke drug development

Abstract

Hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) are a family of cytokines that play important roles in the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors, as well as in the functional activation of mature cells. However, there is a growing body evidences have suggested that HGFs have important nonhematopoietic functions in the central nervous system. Preclinical studies have demonstrated significant benefits from the use of these cytokines in the acute and chronic treatment of various neurological disorders. Unfortunately, the efficacy of these candidate neuroprotectants in animal experiments does not reliably predict efficacy in stroke patients. This chapter presents a broad overview of data from preclinical neuroprotection and clinical trial studies.