Clinical applications of stem cell factor

Stem cell factor is an early-acting hematopoietic cytokine that probably functions constitutively to support the proliferation and survival of pluripotent progenitor cells and to increase their receptivity to lineage commitment and differentiation in response to lineage-specific cytokines. Stem cell factor also can induce proliferation and activation of mast cells. In vitro and in vivo, stem cell factor has demonstrated synergy with other hematopoietic cytokines. In clinical trials, stem cell factor has been shown to mobilize peripheral blood progenitor cells and when combined with G-CSF to increase the number of peripheral blood progenitor cells harvested. When used in lower doses and with antihistamine and beta-agonist premedication, stem cell factor therapy has been well tolerated. Phase III trials are in progress to document the efficacy of stem cell factor in peripheral blood progenitor cell harvesting protocols. Future clinical applications may include the treatment of adult and pediatric marrow failure states, the ex vivo expansion and manipulation of hematopoietic progenitor cells, and the treatment of disorders of skin pigmentation.