Eprex Injection

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by the kidney in response to hypoxia and is the key regulator of red blood cell (RBC) production. EPO is involved in all phases of erythroid development, and has its principal effect at the level of erythroid precursors. After EPO binds to its cell surface receptor, it activates signal transduction pathways that interfere with apoptosis and stimulates erythoid cell proliferation.

Erythropoietin stimulates erythropoiesis in anaemic patients with chronic renal failure in whom the endogenous production of erythropoietin is impaired. Because of the length of time required for erythropoiesis – several days for erythroid progenitors to mature and be released into the circulation – a clinically significant increase in haemoglobin is usually not observed in less than two weeks and may require up to ten weeks in some patients.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents ESAs are growth factors that primarily stimulate red cell production. Erythropoietin receptors may be expressed on the surface of a variety of tumour cells (see PRECAUTIONS – Use in Cancer Patients).