Theme |
Erythropoietin Up-To-Date |
Title |
Novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP) for managing renal anemia |
Author |
Nobuo Nagano |
Pharmaceutical Development Laboratories, Kirin Brewery Co., Ltd. |
[ Summary ] |
The discovery of a novel erythropoiesis stimulating protein (NESP) resulted from the addition of two N-linked carbohydrate chains based on the hypothesis that increasing the sialic acid content of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) would increase its serum half-life and thereby the in vivo biological activity of the molecule. NESP has a 3-times longer serum half-life and greater in vivo biological activity than rHuEPO. Clinical trials have demonstrated that NESP can maintain hemoglobin concentrations as effectively and safely as rHuEPO in pre- and dialysis patients, but with a reduced dose frequency, either once weekly or once every other week. |