Hematopoietic growth factors in the supportive care and treatment of patients with hematologic neoplasms

Abstract

The hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) are a group of naturally occurring glycoproteins required for the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Their effects are mediated by high-affinity binding to specific receptors on their hematopoietic target cells. The isolation, purification, cloning, and manufacture of HGFs has permitted their clinical use, originally to correct cytopenias caused by deficiency of specific growth factors, and subsequently in numerous other settings. Recombinant HGFs are used in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies to improve disease and treatment-related cytopenias and to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells from the marrow into the peripheral blood from where they can be harvested for autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. This chapter will focus on the biology and use of the clinically important recombinant HGFs in patients with hematologic malignancies. Those HGFs which are employed clinically will be individually discussed, followed by a description of their application in specific diseases and clinical settings.