What is "filgrastim"

n. A granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analogue used to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of granulocytes.

Filgrastim is a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) analog used to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of granulocytes; it is a pharmaceutical analog of naturally occurring G-CSF. It is produced by recombinant DNA technology. The gene for human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is inserted into the genetic material of Escherichia coli. The G-CSF then produced by E. coli is different from G-CSF naturally made in humans.

Filgrastim was originally licensed by Amgen in 1991. It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system. In 2015 filgrastim became the first drug to have a biosimilar approved by the US FDA; that biosimilar's international nonproprietary name is filgrastim-sndz.