Leo C, Fink D
Klinik für Gynäkologie, Universitätsspital Zürich.
Praxis (Bern 1994). 2011 Oct 5;100(20):1239-46. doi: 10.1024/1661-8157/a000689.
Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein predominantly produced in the kidney. It is an essential regulator of erythropoiesis in the bone marrow. Although cancer-associated anemia is caused by multiple factors, recombinant erythropoietin (rhuEpo) was widely used to treat and prevent this condition. Several clinical studies showed that the use of rhuEpo results in an efficient reduction of red blood cell transfusions in cancer-associated anemia. However, over the past twenty years, Epo and its receptor EpoR were found to be expressed also outside the hematopoietic system and in malignant tumors. This led to a discussion concerning potential risks associated with the application of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in oncology.
促红细胞生成素是一种主要在肾脏产生的糖蛋白。它是骨髓中红细胞生成的重要调节因子。尽管癌症相关性贫血由多种因素引起，但重组促红细胞生成素（rhuEpo）被广泛用于治疗和预防这种情况。多项临床研究表明，使用rhuEpo可有效减少癌症相关性贫血患者的红细胞输血次数。然而，在过去二十年中，人们发现促红细胞生成素及其受体EpoR也在造血系统之外和恶性肿瘤中表达。这引发了关于在肿瘤学中应用促红细胞生成素刺激剂的潜在风险的讨论。
