title: The Role of Growth Factors in Bone-Marrow Transplantation.
abstract: Growth factors may be of value in reducing transplant-related complications. Recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) are the most widely studied growth factors to date, and show promise in terms of accelerating haemopoietic recovery; however, their overall value is less clear. Non-recombinant colony-stimulating factors derived from human urine are also under investigation. Any antileukaemic or immune modulatory role for growth factors is currently speculative. The value of growth factors in allogeneic bone-marrow transplantation has not yet been adequately investigated. The use of growth factcm in combination is potentially of great value but as yet there are no human data. In addition to having proliferative effects, some colony-stimulating factors have important effects on mature phagocyte function. Large randomized studies will be needed to document the real value of growth factors in marrow transplanation.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golidstone
authors.affiliation: a Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gribben
authors.affiliation: a Department of Haematology, University College Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mcmillan
keywords: Growth factors; bone-marrow transplantation; colony-stimudating factor