Current status of G-CSF in support of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

It is now 2 years since the commercial availability of G-CSF, and thus it seems appropriate to reassess the clinical merits of this cytokine in the context of current knowledge; such an evaluation seems best founded not only on an analysis of the biology of G-CSF itself, but also on a critical assessment of whether its biologic actions translate into a cost-effective alleviation of patient suffering and improved cancer cure. As is so often the case, the knowledge base upon which clinicians must rely to make prescribing decisions is smaller than we might wish, but a substantial body of existent information can provide a guide to clinical strategy until a number of ongoing trials give more concrete information.