The role of hematopoietic growth factors in the treatment of cancer and leukemias.
The introduction of hematopoietic growth factors during the last 5 years has changed the scenery of anti-tumor treatment. Growth factors following high dose chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation have become established as part of many treatment protocols. Main benefits are earlier recovery of neutrophils resulting in fewer days with fever, antibiotics and hospitalization. Growth factors were found to reduce the treatment related morbidity and improve the practicability of therapeutic regimens. First studies on a prospective chemotherapy dose intensification supported by growth factors are underway. As a further effect of growth factors an attempted enhancement of anti-tumor cytotoxicity by recruitment of tumor cells to chemosensitivity or by modulation of anti-tumor drug metabolism appears realistic as from first data of growth factor priming in acute myeloid leukemia. New ways to support high intensity and myelo-ablative anti-tumor strategies are opened by the autologous transplantation of peripheral blood progenitor cells mobilized by growth factors and also by the use of new factors like stem cell factor and the synergistic combination of growth factors as part of future strategies against malignant disorders.
Büchner
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Department of Internal Medicine (Hematology) Oncology, University of Münster, Germany.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors