Section Review—Oncologic, Endocrine & Metabolic: Haematopoietic Growth Factors in Cancer Chemotherapy

Abstract

As recombinant haematopoietic growth factors have become recognised as valuable adjuncts to traditional chemotherapeutic regimens, new chemotherapeutic approaches made possible by growth factors have become a major area of clinical research. Use of growth factors to mobilise peripheral blood progenitor cells for both allogeneic and autologous transplantation and ex vivo expansion of progenitor celis are the newest areas of cancer research with haematopoietic growth factors. Probably the most important development has been the identification of a platelet growth factor, megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) or thrombopoietin (TPO). As thrombocytopenia following bone-marrow transplantation or myeloablative chemo- or radiotherapy is a major concern, the importance of a platelet growth factor is enormous. Data have indicated that the use of growth factors in many clinical settings is cost effective, in spite of the high price of biotechnology products, as reduction in the number of infections, use of intravenous antibiotics, days of hospitalisation, and number of platelet transfusions offsets the initial cost of the therapeutics.