Since cytokines are of crucial significance in this process, we decided to examine the role of stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin 3 (IL-3), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), known for their stimulatory effects on in vitro hematopoiesis; and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), interferon gamma (IFN gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), known for their inhibitory effect, in the anemia of GCA.
Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus recombinant human erythropoietin may improve anemia in selected patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.