What is EPO drug used for?

Erythropoietin (EPO) is produced by the kidney and used to make red blood cells. Erythropoetin-stimulating agents are used often for people with long-term kidney disease and anemia.

Can my doctor prescribe EPO?

When you have anemia, your doctor will prescribe a man-made form of EPO called Aranesp® or EPOGEN®. This drug works like your own EPO and tells your bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

Does EPO cause cancer?

Summary: Researchers have demonstrated that a growth hormone, PDGF-BB, and the blood protein EPO are involved in the development of cancer tumors and that they combine to help the tumors proliferate in the body.

How long does it take for an injection of erythropoietin to work?

When epoetin begins to work, usually in about 6 weeks, most people start to feel better. Some people are able to be more active. However, epoetin only corrects anemia. It has no effect on kidney disease, cancer, or any other medical problem that needs regular medical attention.

Is EPO used in cancer treatment?

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a frequently prescribed drug for treatment of cancer-related and chemotherapy-induced anemia in cancer patients. Paradoxically, recent preclinical and clinical studies indicate that EPO could potentially accelerate tumor growth and jeopardize survival in cancer patients.

What is the name of EPO?

Erythropoietin (/ɪˌrɪθroʊˈpɔɪ. ɪtɪn, -rə-, -pɔɪˈɛtɪn, -ˈiːtɪn/; EPO), also known as erythropoetin, haematopoietin, or haemopoietin, is a glycoprotein cytokine secreted mainly by the kidneys in response to cellular hypoxia; it stimulates red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) in the bone marrow.

Is EPO safe?

WADA explains that EPO thickens the blood, which “leads to an increased risk of several deadly diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and cerebral or pulmonary embolism.” Athletes who misuse recombinant human EPO are also at risk of serious autoimmune diseases.

Why do cancer patients use EPO?

Erythropoietin is a type of protein called a growth factor. It is used to treat a low number of red blood cells (anaemia) due to cancer or its treatment.

Is erythropoietin a chemotherapy?

Erythropoietin inhibits chemotherapy-induced cell death and promotes a senescence-like state in leukemia cells.

Are EPO injections safe?

EPO medication is very safe. In rare cases, patients feel like they have the flu about 1 hour after an injection. This is not serious and the feeling does go away. EPO medication improves hemoglobin so your blood pressure may go up.

What is erythropoietin (EPO)?

Erythropoietin (EPO) definition and facts Measuring blood levels of erythripoietin, a hormone involved in red blood cell production, can diagnose some medical conditions. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney. Erythropoietin promotes the formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow.

What is the role of erythropoietin in the treatment of prostate cancer?

Shiozawa Y, McGee S, Pienta MJ, McGregor N, Jung Y, Yumoto K, et al. Erythropoietin supports the survival of prostate cancer, but not growth and bone metastasis. J Cell Biochem (2013) 114(11):2471–8.10.1002/jcb.24592 [ PMC free article] [ PubMed] [ CrossRef] [ Google Scholar]

Should epos be used in cancer patients?

There has been much discussion of EPO use in cancer patients, and several professional and regulatory organizations and authorities have issued various guidances. Perhaps, the following “rule” used by several clinicians interviewed by one of the authors should be considered.

What is hormone therapy for prostate cancer?

Hormone therapy is also called androgen suppression therapy. The goal is to reduce levels of male hormones, called androgens, in the body, or to stop them from fueling prostate cancer cells. Androgens stimulate prostate cancer cells to grow.