Chapter 25: Hematopoietic Agents

INTRODUCTION

This chapter will be most useful after having a basic understanding of the material in Chapter 37, Hematopoietic Agents: Growth Factors, Minerals, and Vitamins in Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 12th Edition. In addition to the material presented here, the 12th Edition contains:

• A description of hematopoietic cell growth and differentiation and the role of hematopoietic growth factors in these processes

• A discussion of iron metabolism and storage in the body

• A discussion of factors that cause iron deficiency anemia

• A discussion of vitamin deficiencies that can lead to anemia

• Table 37-3 Iron Requirements for Pregnancy

• Table 37-2 The Body Content of Iron

• Table 37-5 Average Response to Oral Iron

• The molecular structures of vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid, and their congeners

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the mechanisms of action of drugs, minerals, and vitamins used to stimulate hematopoiesis.

• Know the untoward effects of drugs used to stimulate hematopoiesis.

• Know the clinical application of hematopoietic growth factors and how efficacy of therapy is monitored.

• Know how mineral and vitamin deficiencies can lead to specific anemia, how these are diagnosed, and how they are treated with individual agents or combinations of agents.

• Know when iron and vitamin supplementation should be used prophylactically.