title: Clinical studies with megakaryocyte growth and development factor (Mpl-ligand).
abstract: The haemopoietic growth factor mpl-ligand (also known as thrombopoietin, and Megakaryocyte Growth and Development Factor [MGDF] is a recently cloned and characterized megakaryocyte-active factor. Administration of MGDF to humans was associated with a dose-related increase in the platelet count with maximum levels observed between days 12-18. Platelets had normal appearance and functioned normally in assays of platelet aggregation and ATP-release. There was no evidence of platelet activation as assessed by platelet surface markers. The earliest detectable effect of MGDF was an increase in early (reticulated) platelets by day 3-4. MGDF also hastened recovery from thrombocytopenia when given after myelosuppressive chemotherapy. MGDF caused mobilisation into the blood of progenitor cells of multiple haemopoietic lineages, and was synergistic with G-CSF in this action after chemotherapy. MGDF was well tolerated with no adverse effects directly attributable to its administration. Further clinical evaluation is on-going.
authors.affiliation: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia. begley@wehi.edu.au
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Begley
mesh_terms: D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle; D019070:Cell Lineage; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013234:Stem Cells; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013926:Thrombopoietin