Myeloid hemopoietic growth factors. Review article.

The article is a critical review of recent publications on myeloid hemopoietic growth factors. They are glycoproteins that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of hemopoietic progenitor cells and the function of mature blood cells. They are also named colony stimulating factors after the experimental technique that led to their discovery. Myeloid growth factors are: granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and interleukin-3. Studies of hemopoietic growth factors in the past years have revealed many potential beneficial effects, but some limitations as well. They have been proved effective, above all, in neutropenic conditions of different origin. A large number of clinical trials have shown their beneficial effect in myelosuppressive conditions after cytotoxic chemotherapy, in post-transplant period in bone marrow transplantation procedures and in neutropenic conditions as part of other clinical entities. Although a number of studies that should determine their clinical role more clearly is still underway, it seems certain that myeloid hemopoietic growth factors already have an important role in modern pharmacotherapy.