How are colony-stimulating factors used in multiple myeloma?
Colony-stimulating factors are used in several different ways in multiple myeloma. • To prevent fever and serious infections in patients who are receiving anti-myeloma drugs that tend to cause low blood counts. Keeping white blood cell counts up and preventing infection can help keep patients on track with their cancer treatment dose and schedule, which helps ensure that they receive the maximum benefit from their therapy. • Typically, only patients who are at “higher risk” for fever and serious infections are given colony-stimulating factors preventatively. • Treatment of fever due to low white blood cell counts (febrile neutropenia) • After high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation to help speed up the production of white blood cells and allow for a faster recovery. In addition, colony-stimulating factors are used as part of the preparation for high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.
