The use of hematopoietic growth factors in treating HIV infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection causes multilineage hematopoietic defects. Defects in the production and function of CD4+ helper cells have been the focus of the majority of HIV research, but anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia are significant clinical problems as well. Bone marrow suppression is the dose-limiting toxicity for a number of antiviral and prophylactic medications. Hematopoietic growth factors such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor are used to optimize the delivery of antiretroviral and prophylactic therapy. Because of the expense involved, the most appropriate use of these hematopoietic growth factors remains a subject of intense investigation. This review focuses on recent experimental results.