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Treatment Options for Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Growth Factors in Myelodysplastic Syndromes
One of the major side-effects of chemotherapy drugs used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as well as other hematological malignancies is a reduction in the number of white blood cells (neutropenia). To increase the number of white blood cells and help reduce the risk of infection, synthetic growth factors have been developed in the laboratory that simulate the action of growth factors produced naturally by the body. Growth factors are chemical messengers that stimulate the bone marrow to produce different types of blood cells. Examples include granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
It has been reported that G-CSF raises the white blood cell count in more than 90% of MDS patients, however, there have been no reported survival benefits. It is generally recommended for neutropenic patients who have experienced recurrent infections.
