Description: I. Fundamental Aspects of Cytokines and Growth Factors.- The Role of the Common Gamma Chain of the IL-2, IL-4, IL-7 and IL-15 Receptors in Development of Lymphocytes. Constitutive Expression of Bcl-2 Does Not Rescue the Developmental Defects in Gamma Common-deficient Mice.- Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Control of Differential Cytokine Expression in Human Monocytes.- Signal Transduction from the Haematopoietic Growth Factor Receptors.- Recipient Immune Responses Induced by Allogeneic Whole Blood or Platelet Transfusions: Implications for Immunomodulation.- Discussion.- II. Role and Function of Cytokines and Growth Factors in the Blood Bank.- Use and Application of Cytokines and Growth Factors in Laboratory Diagnostic Procedures.- Ex Vivo Cytokine Production in Blood Components: Relevant or Irrelevant?.- Haematopoietic Growth Factors for the Expansion of Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cells.- Gene Marking and Gene Therapy for Transplantation Medicine.- Ex Vivo Culture and Expansion of Haematopoietic Progenitor Cells in Cancer Patients.- Peripheral Blood Progenitor Grafts Obtained form Healthy Donors.- Discussion.- III. Role and Application of Cytokines and Growth Factors in Clinical Medicine.- Clinical Relevance of Cytokine Levels in Blood Products: Evidence to Correlate with Morbidity.- Ablative Chemotherapy in Solid Tumour Oncology, Technology in Search of an Application?.- Gene Therapy In Malignacies: Development and Clinical Applications of Autologous Tumour Vaccines.- Vaccination Strategies to Induce T-cell Immunity against Tumours.- Cytokines in the Treatment of Infection.- Thrombopoietin: Biological Effects Beyond Megakaryopoieses.- Discussion.- IV. Future Potential of Cytokines and Growth Factors in Transfusion Medicine.- Erythropoietin -- Where Do We GoFrom Here?.- Ethical Aspects of the Use of Cytokines and Growth Factors in Donors.- Future Potential of Cytokines and Growth Factors in Transfusion Medicine: What New Horizons Are There to Come?.- Discussion.

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