The role of erythropoietin and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in tumor progression.

The role of erythropoietin (EPO) and erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) in tumor progression

Molecular Pathways The Role of Erythropoietin and Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in Tumor Progression

Over the past few decades, understanding of the physiologic function of erythropoietin (EPO) has evolved significantly. EPO binds to erythropoietin receptors (EPOR), initiating signaling that stimulates growth, inhibits apoptosis, and induces the differentiation of erythroid progenitors to increase red blood cell mass. EPO has additionally been shown to exert tissue-protective effects on multip...

The effect of erythropoietin on normal and neoplastic cells

Erythropoietin (Epo) is an essential hormone that binds and activates the Epo receptor (EpoR) resident on the surface of erythroid progenitor cells, thereby promoting erythropoiesis. Recombinant human erythropoietin has been used successfully for over 20 years to treat anemia in millions of patients. In addition to erythropoiesis, Epo has also been reported to have other effects, such as tissue...

Functional EpoR Pathway Utilization Is Not Detected in Primary Tumor Cells Isolated from Human Breast, Non-Small Cell Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Tumor Tissues

Several clinical trials in oncology have reported increased mortality or disease progression associated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. One hypothesis proposes that erythropoiesis-stimulating agents directly stimulate tumor proliferation and/or survival through cell-surface receptors. To test this hypothesis and examine if human tumors utilize the erythropoietin receptor pathway, the re...

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent use in cancer: preclinical and clinical perspectives.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) used for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in cancer patients have been associated with adverse outcomes of enhanced tumor progression and impaired survival in a series of recent clinical trials. As clinical practice guidelines for ESA administration in cancer patients have evolved to improve safety, the mechanisms underlying the adverse outcom...