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Table 3 Representative examples of supportive protein drugs in cancer

From: Recombinant pharmaceuticals from microbial cells: a 2015 update

Drug name

Cell factory

Biological role

Mechanism of action

Indications

Filgrastim (Scimax)

E. coli

Cytokine

Stimulates hematopoiesis

Bone marrow transplantation and cancer chemotherapy induced neutropenia

Pegfilgrastim (Neupeg)

E. coli

Cytokine

Stimulates differentiation, proliferation and activation of the neutrophilic granulocytes

Cancer chemotherapy induced neutropenia

Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)

CHO cells

Hormone

Stimulates processes of erythropoiesis or red blood cell production

Anemia associated with chronic renal failure, cancer chemotherapy or heart failure. Myelodysplastic syndrome

Lenograstim (CERBIOS)

CHO cells

Cytokine

Stimulates differentiation, proliferation and activation of neutrophilic granulocytes

Neutropenia associated with cytotoxic therapy or bone marrow transplantation

Epoetin alfa (Binocrit)

CHO cells

Hormone

Stimulates production of oxygen carrying red blood cells from the bone marrow

Anemia associated with chronic renal failure and cancer chemotherapy induced anemia