Growth factors in haematological cancers.
Since their discovery just under a century ago, growth factors (GFs) have been used almost ubiquitously in haematology. Many haematological cancers are associated with bone marrow failure, either as a direct consequence of the disease or its treatment. Colony stimulating factors (CSFs) have been used to address the problems associated with the resulting cytopenias, however, concerns about the potential leukaemogenic effects of some of these CSFs led to a degree of initial hesitancy in usage, particularly in the management of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). This has now been largely overcome. Other limitations have included cost and side effect profiles (the latter particularly with the multilineage factors). There has been wide variation locally, nationally and internationally in the usage of GFs. The American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) attempted to rationalise the usage of GFs by producing a consensus document enumerating the evidence-based indications for use of GFs. There is little information on cost effectiveness, this remains an important issue for the future. Peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) has revolutionised the management of many malignant conditions and has contributed to the increased use of growth factors. Many other indications are emerging for GFs used singly or in combination. Current clinical applications of GFs include: i) amelioration of cytopenias following chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation, ii) chemotherapy dose maintenance and escalation, iii) chemosensitisation and modification of disease states, iv) optimisation of methods for mobilisation of progenitor stem cells, v) immunotherapy, and vi) as therapeutic targets for treatment of haematolgical malignancies.
Department of Haematology, St. George's Hospital, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, UK. nnenna@osuji.demon.co.uk
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Pettengell