Hematopoietic Growth Factors in Oncology

Whether to promote platelet recovery or to ameliorate the complications of cancer and the side effects of chemotherapy, hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs) now account for more than $5 billion per year of the US health care budget. In Hematopoietic Growth Factors in Oncology: Basic Science and Clinical Therapeutics, leading oncologists, hematologists, and nephrologists comprehensively review the role of HGFs in clinical practice, explain the molecular basis of their effects, and consider potential future developments. The authors focus on the use of HGFs in oncology, describing their cutting-edge application to patients with lung cancer, Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, AIDS-related malignancies, myelodysplastic syndromes, and aplastic anemias. Among the HGFs described are granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, erythropoietc factors, thrombopoietic factors, and stem-cell factor and its receptor, c-kit. To complete their survey, the contributors also consider the safety and economic implications of HGFs and the future potential for HGF antagonists in oncology. Comprehensive and up-to-date, Hematopoietic Growth Factors in Oncology: Basic Science and Clinical Practice offers an integrated survey of the role of HGFs in treating and preventing anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia in patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases, along with fresh insights into drug development and how basic discoveries in this area can be optimally translated into clinical benefit.