Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent

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Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (short: ESA, in German: Erythropoiesis-stimulating substances) are substances that stimulate the formation of red blood cells ( erythrocytes ) (see Erythropoiesis ). This group of substances includes some naturally occurring growth factors ( cytokines ) such as B. the interleukins IL-3 and IL-9.

Probably the best known ESA is the hormone erythropoietin . In the course of the development of drugs that mimic the blood-forming properties of erythropoietin, numerous ESAs were artificially produced with the help of molecular biological and biotechnological processes (see next generation EPO preparations ).

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