Hematologic Disorders and Bone Marrow-Peripheral Blood Dynamics

Hematologic disorders such as the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are discussed. The lingering controversies related to various diseases are highlighted. A simple biomathematical model of bone marrow - peripheral blood dynamics in the normal state is proposed and used to investigate cell behavior in normal hematopoiesis from a mathematical viewpoint. Analysis of the steady state and properties of the model are used to make postulations about the phenomenon of massive apoptosis in MDS. Simulations of the model show situations in which homeostatic equilibrium can be achieved and maintained. Consequently, it is postulated that hematopoietic growth factors may possess the capabilities of preventing oscillatory dynamics and enhancing faster evolution towards homeostatic equilibrium.