Current opinion in oncology
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With the identification of recombinant production of the hematopoietic growth factors, these cytokines have been evaluated in the treatment of primary bone marrow failure states and after myelosuppressive chemo- or radiotherapy. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and erythropoietin have been approved for clinical use, and others including c-mpl-ligand (also called megakaryocyte growth and development factor or thrombopoietin) are in phase I and II trials. ⋯ Guidelines have been published to provide a rational basis for the use of these factors in clinical practice. It should be emphasized, however, that for many of the recommendations data from randomized clinical trials are lacking.