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Haemopoietic growth factors are involved in the production of the various blood cells from progenitors in the bone marrow. The genes for several of them have been cloned and their production engineered by recombinant technology,making them widely available. Stem Cell Factor (SCF) is a major regulator of progenitor cells, often called stem cells. These stem cells develop to form a variety of more mature blood cells including red cells, white cells and platelets. Myeloid growth factors (G-CFS and GM-CFS) are used to support patients in the aftermath of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation and have potential application in the treatment of infectious diseases. Erythropoietin (EPO) is widely used for patients with anaemia due to failure of marrow production, having established its effectiveness in chronic renal failure. Thrombopoietin (TPO), Megacariocite Growth and Development Factor (MGDF), and Interleukin 11 (IL-11) have recently been described and may provide a means to alleviate thrombocytopenia. |
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STEM CELL FACTOR (SCF): has completed a phase 3 clinical study. Produced by Amgen. |
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ERYTHROPOIETIN (EPO): has been licensed. Produced by Amgen., Ortho Biotech |
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MIELOID GROWTH FACTORS (G-CSF, GM-CSF): G-CSF has been licensed. Produced by Amgen. GM-CSF has been licensed, produced by Schering-Plough |
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THROMBOPOIETIN (TPO):
is in phase 2 clinical trials. Produced by Genentech
MEGACARIOCYTE GROWTH and DEVELOPMENTAL FACTOR (MGDF): is in phase 1-2 of clinical trials. Produced by Amgen. INTERLEUKIN-11 (IL-11): is licensed by FDA. Produced by Genetics Institute |