The role of hematopoietic growth factors in special populations with chronic hepatitis C

ABSTRACT

Certain populations with chronic hepatitis C face special challenges in attaining optimal adherence to antiviral therapy, including patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus, patients undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal disease, and liver transplant recipients. These patient groups may stand to gain particular benefit from the expanding use of hematopoietic growth factors to manage the cytopenic effects of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C. This article reviews the rationale, current evidence, and future prospects for the adjunctive use of growth factors in these special populations with hepatitis C.