Darbepoetin Alfa

Definition

A recombinant analog of the endogenous cytokine erythropoietin, an erythropoiesis-stimulating protein. Due to the addition of two carbohydrate chains, darbepoetin alfa exhibits a three-fold greater half-life than does erythropoietin. Similar to erythropoietin, darbopoietin alfa binds to and activates epoetin receptors, thereby inducing the differentiation and maturation of erythrocyte progenitors, stimulating endothelial cell proliferation, and stimulating B-cell proliferation and immunoglobulin production. (NCI04)

Also known as Aranesp, DARBEPOETIN ALFA, NESP, Nespo, Novel Erythropoiesis Stimulating Protein — per NCIT

Also identified as

• ATC B03XA02 per RXNORM
• NCIT NCIT:C1878 per NCIT
• SCTID 385608005 per RXNORM
• SCTID 385610007 per RXNORM
• UNII 15UQ94PT4P per RXNORM

Indications