What are colony stimulating factors?
Cancer treatments can compromise your immune system. This is because chemotherapy, which targets and destroys fast-growing cancerous cells, also kills healthy cells. White blood cells (WBCs), which are made in your bone marrow, are responsible for fighting infections by initiating an immune response. Because they are also fast growing, WBCs may also be affected by chemotherapy. If the number of WBC’s falls to low levels, your chance of getting an infection increases. We prescribe a synthetic form of a colony-stimulating factor (CSF) to help your body make more WBC’s, which in turn can help your immune system recover. A CSF is a type of protein, known as growth factors that stimulate your bone marrow to increase the number and function of your WBC’s. This affects important aspects of your immune system that can enhance your recovery. Your physician or nurse practitioner will determine when you should start and stop treatment. It is generally administered as a subcutaneous injection to t
