Treatment of a marrow stem-cell disorder with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

Article Abstract:

Stem cells, produced in bone marrow, give rise to many different types of circulating blood cells. The effect of growth factors, such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), have on blood cell regulation in the disease cyclic neutropenia (reduced blood neutrophils) is examined. This disease is characterized by monthly fluctuations in the amount of blood cells in the body and results in fever, fatigue, mouth ulcers and life-threatening infections. Stem cells wait for signals which indicate that the number of circulating blood cells has decreased before they differentiate to produce more. G-CSF was found to decrease the episodes of neutropenia, confirming that these growth factors can mediate the amount of circulating blood cells and may aid blood cell production in other diseases and conditions associated with insufficient blood cells. The long-term toxic effects of continual stem cell stimulation using growth factors are unknown. It is hoped that treatment with G-CSF or similar growth factors will be useful in preparing patients for chemotherapy which causes a reduction in circulating blood cells as a side effect.

Abnormalities, Physiological aspects, Growth factors, Hematopoiesis, editorial, Colony-stimulating factors (Physiology), Colony-stimulating factors

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Granulocyte colony-stimulting factor, congenital neutropenia and acute myeloid leukemia

Article Abstract:

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) should continue to be used to treat most patients with severe neutropenia. Neutropenia is a drop in the number of white blood cells called neutrophils. G-CSF is a naturally-occurring chemical that stimulates the production of neutrophils and prevents infection in neutropenic patients. Severe congenital neutropenia is caused by a defect in the G-CSF receptor in the bone marrow cells that produce neutrophils. Patients with such bone marrow failure often develop blood cell cancers, such as leukemia. A 1995 study found that two patients with severe congenital neutropenia and acute myeloid leukemia who were treated with G-CSF had mutations of the G-CSF receptor. These mutations may have caused an abnormal reaction to G-CSF, which led to leukemia. The wider use of G-CSF therapy on neutropenic patients may increase the incidence of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. However, in most patients, the benefits of G-CSF, in terms of survival and quality of life, compensate for the leukemia risks.

Editorial, Risk factors, Drug therapy, Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, Acute leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute myelocytic leukemia, Neutropenia

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Chronic myeloid leukemia

Article Abstract:

Bone marrow transplants are the best treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) but other options are also available. CML is a type of leukemia that can be fatal within three to five years. It is caused by an overproduction of stem cells that normally become red and white blood cells. Many patients can be cured with high-dose chemotherapy followed by a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, only about 15-20% of these patients can find a suitable donor. Interferon alpha can be effective in many of these patients. Research continues on other potential drug treatments.

Care and treatment, Bone marrow, Bone marrow transplantation, Chronic myeloid leukemia

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