Growth factors in oncology (part 1)

Cytokines and growth factors are natural regulators of growth and development and promote recovery of the body from all types of injuries. Today recombinant cytokines and growth factors are playing an increasing role in health care, especially for minimizing the toxic effects of chemotherapy and improving quality of life for patients with cancer. Novel growth factors may also improve treatment responses and delay disease progression, because patients administered these agents may be more likely to complete their scheduled cycles of therapy. The severity and clinical consequences of mucositis can now be directly addressed with these recombinant factors. This paper will provide new data and insights that will assist physicians in evaluating new treatment strategies with novel growth factors for treatment of hematology and oncology. (author)