The colony-stimulating factors and cancer.
The four colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are glycoproteins that regulate the generation and some functions of infection-protective granulocytes and macrophages. Recombinant granulocyte-CSF (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) have now been used to increase dangerously low white blood cell levels in many millions of cancer patients following chemotherapy. These CSFs also release haematopoietic stem cells to the peripheral blood, and these cells have now largely replaced bone marrow as more effective populations for transplantation to cancer patients who have treatment-induced bone marrow damage.
Metcalf
Donald
D
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. metcalf@wehi.edu.au
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019070:Cell Lineage; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors