[Stem cell factor (SCF) in clinical practice].

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a hematopoietic factor active in the early stages of hematopoiesis. Recognition of biological properties of SCF made a hope for its use in diagnosis and therapy of many diseases, especially neoplasmas. We present a characterization of SCF, its attempts to use in medicine and future possibilities of application. We describe also possibilities for clinical use of soluble receptor (s-kit) and inhibitors of SCF.