Colony Stimulating Factors

Definition

Colony Stimulating Factors (CSFs) are a group of substances that stimulate the production of blood cells and enhance their ability to function. They are commonly used to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy by promoting bone marrow recovery.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. CSFs help reduce the incidence of febrile neutropenia in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
2. They include agents like G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) and GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor).
3. CSFs can be administered via subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion.
4. Common side effects include bone pain, fatigue, and edema.
5. Filgrastim and pegfilgrastim are examples of commercially available CSFs.

Review Questions

• What is the primary function of Colony Stimulating Factors in cancer therapy?
• Name two types of Colony Stimulating Factors used clinically.
• What are common side effects associated with CSF administration?

Related terms

Neutropenia:

A condition characterized by an abnormally low count of neutrophils, increasing infection risk.

Chemotherapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Filgrastim:

A recombinant form of G-CSF used to promote white blood cell production.