Flow cytometry measurement of cytokine receptors in acute leukemias. Clinical and biologic implications

In the last few years, the molecular cloning and purification of several hemopoietic growth factors (GF) and cytokines has made it possible to use them (at least some of these GF) in the clinical setting of many haematological disorders. The main clinical use of G- CSF and GM-CSF is to stimulate recovery of’ neutropenia and/or monocytopenia following myeloablative chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and/or bone marrow transplantation. Although the administration of these CF in patients affected by neoplastic proliferaiion of 1 lymphoid origin (ALL, MM, and MI.) is widely accepted, their clinical usefulness and safety in lhe management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is still controversial. However, a number of reports have shown that CM-CSF anti G-NSF could be given to AML patients, without increasing the remission and the relapse rates or shortening the life expectancy of the disease. In othter words, the risk of stimulating the leukcrnic clone using GF seems to be very low even in patients with myeloid maligriancies.