title: [Hematopoietic growth factors. Possibilities and limitations].
abstract: The production of hematopoietic cells is under the tight control of distinct growth factors. As therapeutic agents, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), erythropoietin (EPO), and thrombopoiesis-stimulating agents (TSA) are in routine clinical use. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is used to prevent febrile neutropenia or to increase dose-density in chemotherapy regimens. Despite a reduced duration of neutropenia, randomized controlled trials have documented only a modest clinical benefit. A clinical advantage of dose-dense chemotherapy has been shown only in specific chemotherapy regimens. Clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of G-CSF for patients with a high risk of adverse outcome of febrile neutropenia. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are used as an alternative to blood transfusion in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia. However, recent meta-analyses of clinical studies suggest that their use was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and serious adverse events. Thrombopoiesis-stimulating agents have been introduced recently into the market for patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Prior to the use of TSA in other conditions such as chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia the lessons learned with G-CSF and ESAs should be taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Hämatologie, Onkologie und Tumorimmunologie, HELIOS Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Schwanebecker Chaussee 50, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Held
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Hildebrandt
authors.forename: W-D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Ludwig
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016298:Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors