New directions in hematologic biotherapy.
Clinical trials of recombinant biologic agents have resulted in new treatment options for hematologic, oncologic, and cardiologic disorders. These agents include the interferons, recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO), colony-stimulating factors (CSFs), interleukins (ILs), and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Interferon alfa has proven efficacious in treating certain hematologic malignancies and solid tumors and has recently been indicated for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Treatment with r-HuEPO has relieved the chronic anemia of hemodialysis patients. Recombinant human granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) or human granulocyte macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) has been used to treat patients after autologous bone marrow transplantation for lymphoid or solid malignancies, resulting in increased production of granulocytes and platelets. G-CSF and GM-CSF have been used to treat aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, and neutropenia associated with AIDS. In patients with evolving myocardial infarction, the recombinant agent t-PA has proved more efficacious than streptokinase in terms of average coronary artery patency rates and survival rates in patients with evolving myocardial infarction. While these agents all offer promising therapeutic advances, the expenses associated with developing and testing biotherapeutic substances have resulted in high treatment costs. Since in many instances investigational therapy is the best treatment option available, physicians, patients, the pharmaceutical industry, the government, and insurance carriers must work together to ensure that these therapies are financially available to those in need.