Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

What type of proteins are used in supportive therapy to reduce myelosuppression?

1. Interferons

2. Colony stimulating factors

3. Interleukins

4. Antibodies

The correct answer is: Colony stimulating factors

Colony stimulating factors (CSFs) are a class of proteins that play a crucial role in the supportive therapy for patients undergoing chemotherapy, particularly in reducing myelosuppression. Myelosuppression refers to the decrease in the production of blood cells due to the effects of chemotherapy on the bone marrow, leading to issues such as increased risk of infection, anemia, and bleeding problems. CSFs, such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), are specifically designed to stimulate the production of certain blood cells, particularly neutrophils, which are essential for fighting infections. By enhancing the bone marrow's ability to produce these cells, CSFs can help mitigate the side effects associated with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression, thus improving patient outcomes and enabling the continuation of treatment. In contrast, while interferons, interleukins, and antibodies have their specific roles in therapy and immune modulation, they do not directly target the stimulation of blood cell production in the same manner as colony stimulating factors do. Therefore, CSFs stand out as the most appropriate and effective choice for addressing myelosuppression in patients undergoing chemotherapy.