Recombinant erythropoietin in clinical practice

Ng, T
Marx, G
Littlewood, T
Macdougall, I

¹Phase One Clinical Trials Unit Ltd, Plymouth, UK
²Sydney Haematology Oncology Clinic, Hornsby, New South Wales, Australia
³Department of Haematology, John Radcliff Hospital, Oxford, UK
⁴Department of Renal Medicine, King’s College Hospital (Dulwich), London, UK

Correspondence to: Dr Thomas Ng, Phase One Clinical Trials Unit Ltd, 119 Looseleigh Lane, Derriford, Plymouth PL6 5HH, UK; [email protected]

Received 05 March 2002

Accepted 31 December 2002

Postgraduate Medical Journal 79(933):p 367-376, July 2003.

The introduction of recombinant human erythropoietin (RHuEPO) has revolutionised the treatment of patients with anaemia of chronic renal disease. Clinical studies have demonstrated that RHuEPO is also useful in various non-uraemic conditions including haematological and oncological disorders, prematurity, HIV infection, and perioperative therapies. Besides highlighting both the historical and functional aspects of RHuEPO, this review discusses the applications of RHuEPO in clinical practice and the potential problems of RHuEPO treatment.