title: Clinical applications of recombinant human colony-stimulating factors.
abstract: The differentiation and maturation of hematopoietic progenitor cells are regulated by certain growth factors. Several of these glycoproteins have been characterized, and their amino acid sequences have been delineated. Modern DNA technology provides sufficient quantities of these hormones for testing in clinical trials. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to increase the hemoglobin level and hematocrit in patients with end-stage renal disease. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) can increase the numbers of neutrophils and monocytes, in a dose-dependent fashion. The function of granulocytes and monocytes is also enhanced. Clinical studies of the toxicity and activity of G-CSF and GM-CSF have been conducted in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and neutropenia due to cancer and chemotherapy. In almost all patients the neutrophil count increased within 24 hours after the start of treatment. Side effects of G-CSF and GM-CSF are infrequent and usually mild. Combinations of CSFs may be even more effective.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Control Agency of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital, BC.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Klingemann
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000188:drug therapy; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005544:Forecasting; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins