Patent ID: 8008273

Claim:
A method for improving haematopoietic recovery in a patient in need thereof, comprising: harvesting megakaryocytes or megakaryocyte progenitors from a patient; contacting the megakaryocytes or megakaryocyte progenitors with an effective amount of an inhibitor of SH2-containing inositol-5-phosphatase (SHIP) function, thereby expanding the megakaryocytes or megakaryocyte progenitors, wherein the inhibitor of SHIP function is selected from the group consisting of interfering RNA, antisense oligonucleotide, ribozyme, DNAzyme, nucleic acid modifier, PNA, nonstandard nucleic acid, aptamer, decoy, and dominant/negative mutant; and reinfusing the expanded megakaryocytes or megakaryocyte progenitors into the patient.