Hematopoietic growth factors in clinical hematology.

Five primary hematopoietic growth factors have been extensively evaluated in trials in patients with inadequate blood cell formation. Results have convincingly demonstrated that various chronic anemias can be corrected with erythropoietin. Similarly, there is no doubt that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) increase the number of leukocytes and improve the function of cells in patients with congenital and acquired leukopenias. Recent studies indicate that interleukin-3 (IL-3) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) can also stimulate blood cell production in patients. As a result, morbidity and perhaps mortality associated with severe cytopenias can be reduced substantially.