Use of EPOGEN for treatment of anemia associated with chronic renal failure.

The anemia of chronic renal failure is a major contributor to the symptoms that limit the quality of life and preclude rehabilitation. The primary cause of the anemia of chronic renal failure is an inability on the part of the impaired kidney to produce adequate amounts of erythropoietin. This hormone stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. EPOGEN (Epoietin alfa), a glycoprotein produced through recombinant DNA technology, corrects this anemia. Its contribution to the care of persons with chronic renal failure is explored.