Supportive care in hematologic malignancies: hematopoietic growth factors, infections, transfusion therapy

A number of recent developments in the supportive care of hematological malignancies have been selected for critical discussion. The first section focuses on the role of evidence-based guidelines in influencing the use of hematopoietic growth factors in medical practice. The next section updates the current clinical status of amifostine (Ethyol, Alza Corp., Palo Alto CA, USA, and US Bioscience, West Conshohocken, PA, USA) the first broad-spectrum cytoprotective agent available. The management of invasive fungal infections and the use of liposomal antifungal agents are reviewed next. Finally, the current status of transfusion support is presented.