Keratinocyte growth factor

Uzma Athar1, Teresa C Gentile

  • 1SUNY Upstate Medical University, Regional Oncology Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.

Insights

Palifermin significantly reduces the incidence and severity of mucositis, a common side effect of stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies. This agent improves patient functioning and reduces associated morbidity during treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Hematology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Mucositis affects over 90% of patients undergoing stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies.
  • It causes significant pain, dysphagia, decreased oral intake, and mortality.
  • Current treatments for mucositis are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review preclinical data and clinical trials of palifermin for mucositis in hematologic malignancies.
  • To include available Phase I and II data on palifermin in solid tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Review of preclinical studies on palifermin.
  • Analysis of Phase III clinical trials evaluating palifermin in hematologic malignancies.
  • Inclusion of Phase I and II data for solid tumors.

Main Results:

  • Palifermin demonstrated efficacy in decreasing the incidence, severity, and duration of mucositis in Phase III trials.
  • Palifermin has shown improvement in patient functioning during hematopoietic stem cell transplants.
  • Preclinical data supports the mechanism of action.

Conclusions:

  • Palifermin is an effective agent for managing mucositis in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies.
  • Palifermin improves patient outcomes and reduces treatment-related morbidity.
  • Further investigation in solid tumors may be warranted.

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