Final answer:
Filgrastim (G-CSF) is used to increase neutrophil counts in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer to prevent infections. It is also used to treat some forms of anemia and facilitate bone marrow transplants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Filgrastim, also known as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), is a colony-stimulating factor used clinically to treat patients. Its primary function is to stimulate the production of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell (WBC), which is crucial in fighting infections. Filgrastim is commonly prescribed to patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, as this treatment can lead to neutropenia (a low number of neutrophils) by damaging the bone marrow where blood cells are produced. The drug helps increase neutrophil counts, thereby aiding in the prevention and treatment of the infections associated with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression.
Furthermore, Filgrastim is used in patients with certain types of anemia to increase WBC counts. It is also administered prior to some bone marrow transplants to help with the bone marrow recovery and to facilitate the collection of hematopoietic stem cells from the donor's blood for the transplant.