A Weekly Roundup of News, Features and Commentary : Potential Chemotherapy Aid

A naturally occurring hormone appears highly effective for counteracting the potentially deadly immune system depression caused by cancer chemotherapy, researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have reported.

A study involving 27 cancer patients--the largest study of its kind--found granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, or G-CSF, appeared to boost the immune systems of patients while they underwent chemotherapy.

Although more research is needed, the findings suggest that the hormone may prevent infections and other complications that plague cancer patients and may allow doctors to treat patients more aggressively, the researchers said.

G-CSF is a naturally occurring hormone that boosts the production of certain key white blood cells. The substance is among a group of substances that scientists recently identified and have been able to reproduce in large amounts using genetic engineering techniques.

The new research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, is the largest and most detailed study to examine directly the effectiveness of any of these substances for cancer chemotherapy patients.