This week's artwork was donated by Lonny, a pediatric cancer patient who received treatment at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia . Interferon and other types of cytokines are demonstrating encouraging results in specific cancer types when used in combination with chemotherapy or even in combination with each other. Cytokines are natural substances found in the body that play an important role in immune system and blood system functions. Cytokines, including interferons, interleukins and thrombopoietin, can now be synthesized through genetic engineering. Thrombopoietin is an investigational agent of great interest to the clinical oncology community due to its potential use against thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count, a serious complication of many chemotherapy regimens.
Platelets promote clotting of the blood, and prevent excessive bleeding.
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