Game theoretic analysis of interferons effect on hematopoietic progenitors growth.

The effects of recombinant alpha, beta and gamma interferons (IFN), alone or in combinations were studied in a case of essential thrombocythemia, using the mixed colony formation assay. This assay allows growth of multipotent (CFU-Mix), and unipotent granulocytic-macrophage (CFU-GM), erythroid (BFU-E) and megakaryocytic (CFU-Meg) progenitors. The bone marrow precursors were cultured in the presence of each type of IFN at 100 U/ml and all possible combinations performed. The results were analysed using the Shapley formula, a game theoretic approach. It is concluded that IFN alpha would be the best candidate for reducing megakaryocytic progenitors while growth of other hematopoietic precursors would be stimulated. These types of analytical biological experiments controlled by using six permutations and calculation of the Shapley value for the three types of IFNs are suggested as a fair approach for a rational choice.