[Progresses in recombinant human serum albumin].

Human serum albumin (HSA) is an important biological product in clinical pharmacy practice at present. Its main clinical use is in maintaining colloid osmotic pressure and increasing circulating plasma volume so as to cure hemorrhagic shock, burn, cancer, hypercytosis, hypoalbuminosis, etc. HSA is isolated by fractionating human plasma, which entails possible contamination by viruses or prions. Recombinant human serum albumin (rHSA) has been successfully produced by biological engineering. The structural and functional properties of rHSA are similar to those of plasma derived human serum albumin (pdHSA). Preclinical and clinical trials have confirmed the safety and efficacy of using this rHSA preparation in the treatment of certain diseases.