Treatment of the anemia of rheumatoid arthritis with recombinant human erythropoietin: clinical and in vitro studies

Arthritis Rheum. 1989 May;32(5):638-42. doi: 10.1002/anr.1780320519.

Abstract

Two anemic patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) for 5 months. Both patients showed significant increases in hematocrit, red cell volumes, and marrow erythroid and megakaryocyte progenitor cells. No significant toxic effects from EPO were observed. These data indicate that EPO may be effective in overcoming the pathogenetic factors that limit erythropoiesis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia / blood
  • Anemia / etiology
  • Anemia / pathology
  • Anemia / therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / complications*
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Hematocrit
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vitamin B 12 / blood

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Erythropoietin
  • Vitamin B 12