What is the difference between epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa?
Darbepoetin alfa and epoetin alfa share the same native protein sequence, but the molecules have distinct glycosylation patterns, resulting in a three-times longer serum half-life and a modestly reduced erythropoietin receptor affinity for darbepoetin compared with its predecessor, epoetin.
What is the mechanism of action of darbepoetin alfa?
The mechanism of action of darbepoetin alfa NOTES. Darbepoetin alfa binds to erythropoietin-receptor monomers resulting in receptor dimerisation and via phosphorylation cell activation of the JAK-2 (Janus kinase-2) intracellular signal transduction pathway.
What drug class is darbepoetin?
Darbepoetin alfa is in a class of medications called erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). It works by causing the bone marrow (soft tissue inside the bones where blood is made) to make more red blood cells.
Is darbepoetin and erythropoietin same?
Erythropoietin is the name of a hormone produced mainly in the kidney, which takes part in the production of red blood cells. Epoetin and darbepoetin work in a similar way to this hormone to increase the number of red blood cells and treat anaemia.
Is darbepoetin the same as EPOGEN?
Epoetin alfa (Retacrit, Procrit, Epogen) is a glycoprotein that stimulates red blood cell production; whereas, darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) stimulates erythropoiesis by the same mechanism as endogenous erythropoietin.
When is EPO released?
The hormone tells stem cells in the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. EPO is made by cells in the kidney. These cells release more EPO when blood oxygen level is low.
Is darbepoetin a biologic?
Drug Type: Darbepoetin alfa is a biologic response modifier. It is an erythropoiesis stimulating protein.
What is another name for darbepoetin?
Aranesp is the trade name for darbepoetin alfa. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name aranesp when referring to the generic drug name darbepoetin alfa.
What is darbepoetin alfa used for?
Darbepoetin may be used for patients on kidney dialysis or for those not on dialysis. Anemia can also occur in people who are receiving chemotherapy to treat cancer. Darbepoetin alfa is used to treat severe anemia in these patients.
What is the primary difference between epoetin and darbepoetin?
There are no clinically significant differences in the safety and efficacy of epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp), the two drugs most commonly used to treat anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, according to a new report by the Agency for Healthcare …
Is darbepoetin alfa an ESA?
Epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa are Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs), approved for the treatment of anemia (low red blood cells) resulting from chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy, certain treatments for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and also to reduce the number of blood transfusions during and after …
Is darbepoetin better than erythropoietin?
Safety profile of DA-α and EPO was similar. Conclusion: Our study results demonstrate that DA-α given at a reduced dose frequency is as effective and well tolerated as EPO for treating renal anemia in pre-dialysis patients with CKD.