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Developments in the therapeutic use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents
Author(s) -
Jelkmann Wolfgang
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2007.06948.x
Subject(s) - medicine , erythropoietin , erythropoiesis , chemotherapy , kidney disease , guideline , anemia , cancer , intensive care medicine , disease , clinical trial , pathophysiology , oncology , pharmacology , immunology , pathology
Summary Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has become the standard therapy for treatment of the anaemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD) during the past two decades. In addition, rHuEPO can be indicated for the treatment of cancer patients on chemotherapy and surgical patients to avoid allogeneic red blood cell transfusion. This review first describes recent attempts in developing rHuEPO congeners (mutated and pegylated rHuEPOs) and mimetics with prolonged half‐lives and improved application requirements. Secondly, the pathophysiological background of the regulatory guideline, that blood haemoglobin levels in anaemic CKD or cancer patients on chemotherapy should not be raised above the target value of 120 g/l, is discussed. Finally, potential novel indications are considered for the use of rHuEPO and its analogues as pleiotropic cytoprotectant agents for cardio‐, nephro‐, hepato‐ and neuroprotection.