Application of myeloid growth factors in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

The current interest in the clinical use of the hematopoietic growth factors (HGF) in the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relates to the promise of reducing morbidity and improving survival through mitigating the complications of cytotoxic therapy. Another possible mode of employment of HGFs is derived from the ability of these peptides to directly stimulate leukemic cells and potentially enhance the efficacy of antileukemic therapy. Here we discuss the experimental basis and the rationale of the application of HGFs in AML and review the accumulating results from clinical studies.