title: [Treatment with growth factors and cytokines in hematologic diseases].
abstract: The Norwegian Society of Haematology has worked out guidelines for the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor and interferon alpha in clinical haematological practice. We recommend not using growth factors as a routine to prevent or to treat fever in patients with granulocytopenia induced by cytostatics, or patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. At present such treatment should be restricted to clinical trials. The same conclusion was reached in regard to use of erythropoietin in the case of myelodysplastic syndromes. Harvesting of stem cells from peripheral blood is a well documented indication for administration of growth factors. Interferon alpha as maintenance treatment for cases of multiple myeloma and low grade malignant lymphoma delays progression of the disease but does not improve chance of survival. There is no documentation of improved quality of life. Use of interferon alpha is not justified as a routine treatment for multiple myeloma. In chronic myelogenous leukemia, interferon alpha seems to be equal to or better than hydroxyurea, and may be considered for patients who cannot undergo allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Hematologisk seksjon, Regionsykehuset i Trondheim.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Waage
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Evensen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Holte
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lamvik
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sletnes
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wisløff
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000628:therapy; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000628:therapy; D009664:Norway; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
vernacular_title: Behandling med vekstfaktorer og cytokiner ved hematologiske lidelser.