Description

The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are the major regulators in the body of the production and activity of two types of white blood cells--granulocytes and macrophages. CSFs are used by clinicians to treat patients with damaged immune systems, for example, as a result of chemotherapy. This book provides a detailed and up-to-date account of the discovery of the CSFs, their structure, molecular biology and cellular receptors, the biology of the CSFs in vivo and in vitro, and their present and future clinical applications. Written by two of the pioneers in the discovery of CSFs, it is a clear and well illustrated survey of the history, current knowledge and future directions of this exciting field of investigation, and serves also as a guide to the more general areas of growth factor and cytokine research. It will prove an invaluable review for cell biologists interested in how growth factors act on the body, as well as for clinicians applying the fruits of modern biotechnology to improved patient care.