THE ROLE OF STEM-CELL FACTOR IN MOBILIZATION OF PERIPHERAL-BLOOD PROGENITOR CELLS - SYNERGY WITH G-CSF

The use of cytokine mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) in transplantation following chemotherapy has led to enhanced engraft ment. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been shown in a number of clinical studies to be an effective mobilizer of PBPC. Pre clinical data in mice and primates have demonstrated a potential role for the use of stem cell factor (SCF) in mobilization of PBPC. In the studies presented here, low doses of SCF are shown to synergize with o ptimal doses of G-CSF to enhance the number and quality of PBPC compar ed to G-CSF alone. Phase I studies using r-metHuSCF demonstrated mast cell-related dose limiting effects. The data presented here have led t o Phase I/II studies to evaluate the potential use of low doses of SCF in combination with G-CSF for mobilization of PBPC.