Kepivance contains the active substance palifermin which is a protein produced by biotechnology in a bacteria called Escherichia coli. Palifermin is similar to the protein called keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) that is naturally made by your body in small amounts. Palifermin acts in the same way as naturally occurring KGF by stimulating the growth of specific cells called epithelial cells that form the tissue lining of your mouth and digestive tract, as well as other tissues such as skin.
For the treatment of your blood cancer you are receiving chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (cells from your own body that produce blood cells). One of the side effects of this treatment is mucositis (soreness, dryness and inflammation of the mouth). Kepivance is used to reduce the frequency, duration and severity of oral mucositis and improve related symptoms.
Kepivance should only be used in adults over the age of 18 years.