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erythropoietin (Epocain / Epokine)

✓ Approved

HK inno.N · EPOR · Recombinant Proteins

What is erythropoietin?

erythropoietin is a recombinant proteins developed by HK inno.N. It is approved for therapeutic indications via injectable (others) or intravenous (iv) or subcutaneous injection.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesEpocain, Epokine
CompanyHK inno.N
Drug ClassRecombinant Proteins
Molecular TargetEPOR
RouteInjectable (Others), Intravenous (IV), Subcutaneous Injection
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, HK inno.N

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

erythropoietin acts on 1 molecular target:

EPORerythropoietin receptor (EPO-R)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

erythropoietin is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Blood and lymphatic system disordersAnaemia✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedPM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation2026-07-17

Effects of adjustable-volume transfemoral prosthetic sockets on balance and falls: A randomized clinical trial.

Gates Deanna H DH, Wensman Jeffrey J, Gutierrez Anthony R AR, Kartes Jordan J et al.

Adjustable-volume prosthetic sockets have been developed to allow users to accommodate volume fluctuations throughout the day. Improvement in socket fit is thought to enhance the connection between the user's residual limb and prosthesis and may therefore improve postural control and balance. However, no studies have assessed balance-related outcomes or falls between different adjustable socket designs. To compare balance-related outcomes for people with transfemoral limb loss using three styles of adjustable-volume sockets and a laminated socket. Randomized clinical trial. Prosthetics clinics and research laboratories. A convenience sample of 29 individuals with unilateral transfemoral amputation were recruited, of whom 23 completed testing in at least one adjustable-volume socket and were included. Participants completed four 4-week trials with each of three adjustable-volume prosthetic sockets and a laminated socket, in random order. Adjustable-volume sockets included Infinite (LIM Innovations, San Francisco, CA, USA), CJ (CJ Sockets Technologies, Beverly, MA, USA), and Quatro (Quorum, Windsor, CO, USA). The primary outcomes were self-reported balance, number of falls and stumbles, and balance confidence. Secondary outcomes included the Narrow Beam Walk Test (NBWT) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Surveys were conducted after at least 3 weeks of use of each socket, and functional measures were collected after 4 weeks. There were no main effects of socket type on self-reported balance (p = .316), balance confidence (p = .963), NBWT (p = .159), or TUG (p = .581). Eighteen participants (78%) reported falling or stumbling at least once in a 3-week period in at least one socket condition. There were no differences in the proportion of fallers (1+ falls) or stumblers (1+ stumbles) between the laminated condition and any adjustable-socket condition (p > .210). The adjustable-volume prosthetic sockets tested demonstrated comparable performance to laminated sockets for balance and fall-related outcomes. The high number of falls and stumbles reported suggests that future studies should focus on balance and falls training, acknowledging that changes to the socket may be insufficient to address this issue.

PMID 42464056
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PubMedAnnals of vascular surgery2026-07-17

Prognostic Value of Serum Erythropoietin Levels in Acute Aortic Syndrome: A Real-world Analysis.

Gao Zhichun Z, Li Gaoshan G, Yin Chun C, Qian Dehui D et al.

It is currently unclear whether erythropoietin (EPO) has value in predicting the prognosis of acute aortic syndrome (AAS). A real-world analysis was conducted on the relationship between EPO and AAS outcomes. Primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and aortic-related mortality. The major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) included all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and secondary procedures. Serum EPO concentration was examined using the Quantikine Human EPO ELISA. 254 AAS patients were recruited, of whom 73 died. The median time of follow-up was 18.1 months. In Cox regression analysis, log EPO (HR: 2.491, p<0.001), Stanford Type A (HR: 3.003, p<0.001), and treatment with surgery/thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) (HR: 0.283, p<0.001) were independent predictors for all-cause mortality. In Kaplan-Meier curves, patients with EPO ≤ 16 IU/ml had significantly higher survival and event-free rates. Nomograms indicated that log EPO had the greatest contribution to AAS prognosis. In subgroup analysis, log EPO was an important prognostic indicator for type A AAS patients and those treated without surgery/TEAVR. In correlation analyses, EPO was positively correlated with c-reactive protein, IL-4, IL-6, monocytes and negatively correlated with albumin. The maximum diameter of the ascending aorta was positively correlated with EPO in AAS and aortic dissection (AoD) patients. The false lumen diameter and false lumen area were positively correlated with EPO in AoD subjects. The serum EPO level is closely associated with the adverse outcomes of AAS and has good prognostic value.

PMID 42462904
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PubMedCureus2026-07-17

Diabetic Self-Care Practices and Quality of Life Among Diabetic Patients in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Almutairi Asayel S AS, Jahan Saulat S

Diabetes is a common chronic disease that requires effective self-care practices. These practices play an important role in improving patients' quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to determine the level of diabetic self-care practices and QoL of diabetic patients in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it explored the factors influencing the QoL of these patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among diabetic patients in primary health care centers. Data were collected using an Arabic self-administered electronic questionnaire, including the modified validated Arabic version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) and the modified validated Arabic version of the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQoL) questionnaire. The questionnaire was pilot tested prior to data collection. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29 (Released 2022; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York). A total of 155 participants were included in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 53 ± 10.8 years, with almost equal representation of males (49.7%) and females (50.3%). Most participants (78.1%) were treated with oral medications in the form of tablets, and less than one-third (29.0%) had HbA1c levels below 7%. Medication adherence showed the highest self-care scores (6.3 ± 1.73 days per week), followed by glucose monitoring (3.4 ± 2.42 days per week). QoL was significantly associated with gender and HbA1c levels. Positive correlations were found between QoL and both medication adherence and shoe checking practices. Medication adherence was the most commonly practiced self-care behavior and was associated with better QoL. However, lifestyle-related practices were suboptimal. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions focusing on lifestyle modification to improve overall diabetes management and patient outcomes.

PMID 42465164
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PubMedRespirology case reports2026-07-17

Benign Metastasizing Leiomyoma With Myomatous Erythrocytosis Syndrome: First Reported Coexistence as a Unified Hormonal Syndrome.

Kanchustambham Venkatkiran V, McWalter Ashley A, Odetola Oluwatobi E OE, Nigdelioglu Recep R

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare condition characterized by histologically benign smooth muscle tumours arising at extrauterine sites, most commonly the lungs, in women with a history of uterine leiomyomata. Erythropoietin (EPO)-secreting uterine leiomyomata causing secondary erythrocytosis-termed myomatous erythrocytosis syndrome (MES)-is an exceedingly rare and underrecognized phenomenon first described by Thomson and Marson in 1953, with fewer than 70 cases reported to date. We report a 39-year-old woman who presented with incidentally discovered bilateral pulmonary nodules on imaging performed during workup for MES with markedly elevated serum EPO (26.7 mIU/mL). She had a longstanding history of uterine leiomyomata and endometriosis. CT-guided biopsy of the dominant left lower lobe nodule (14 × 11 mm) confirmed BML: lesional cells were positive for oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), smooth muscle actin (SMA) and desmin, with retained fumarate hydratase (FH), excluding hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC) syndrome. Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) was performed; pathology confirmed multiple cellular leiomyomata without features of STUMP or leiomyosarcoma on University of Michigan expert consultation. Within 3 months of surgery, haemoglobin normalized to 14.2 g/dL and EPO to 6.7 mIU/mL, confirming the uterus as the source of ectopic EPO production. This case illustrates a novel unified hormonal syndrome in which uterine leiomyomata simultaneously drove pulmonary BML through ER/PR signalling and caused secondary polycythemia through ectopic EPO secretion. Hysterectomy/BSO resolved both processes concurrently, and this case highlights BML and MES as diagnoses to consider in premenopausal women with bilateral pulmonary nodules and unexplained erythrocytosis.

PMID 42466435
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PubMedCureus2026-07-17

Audit of Cesarean Section Rates in a Tertiary Care Hospital Using the Modified Robson Classification System.

Aslam Maria M, Sadiq Hasina H, Azhar Mohammad Moaz MM, Mughal Shaharyar S et al.

Background The increasing rate of cesarean section (CS) has become a significant public health concern worldwide because of its association with increased maternal morbidity and healthcare burden. The Modified Robson Classification System is an internationally accepted tool for auditing and monitoring CS practices. Objective To evaluate CS patterns and identify the major contributors to rising CS rates in a tertiary care hospital using the Modified Robson Classification System. Methodology This retrospective audit was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Shifa College of Medicine from March 2023 to February 2025. A total of 493 women who underwent CS were included. Maternal demographic characteristics, obstetric history, indications for CS, and neonatal outcomes were obtained from medical records. Cases were categorized according to the Modified Robson Classification System, where Group 5C comprised women with previous cesarean scar(s) with singleton cephalic pregnancy at term, and Group 2A included nulliparous women with singleton cephalic term pregnancy undergoing induction of labor. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 23 (Released 2016; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results The mean maternal age was 29.5 ± 5.9 years. Women with previous cesarean scars constituted the majority of cases, with Group 5C contributing 51.9% (256/493) of all CS, followed by Group 2A contributing 23.5% (116/493). Fetal distress was the leading indication for CS in 31.8% (157/493) of cases, followed by previous multiple cesarean scars in 28.0% (138/493) and refusal of trial of labor after cesarean in 18.5% (91/493). Among primigravida women, fetal distress accounted for 64.4% (85/132) of cesarean deliveries. Favorable neonatal outcomes were observed in most cases, with live births occurring in 97.6% (481/493) and NICU admissions in 2.2% (11/493) of neonates. Conclusion Women with previous cesarean scars and nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor were the major contributors to the overall CS rate. The Modified Robson Classification System is an effective tool for identifying high-contributing groups and guiding strategies aimed at reducing unnecessary cesarean deliveries while maintaining safe maternal and neonatal outcomes.

PMID 42465196
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PubMedFrontiers in oncology2026-07-17

Comparative study of three treatment approaches on overall survival and treatment response in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: network meta-analysis of RCTs (4221 patients).

Hu Jun J, Haojie Li L

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor with significant disease burden. Currently, radiotherapy-based multimodal therapy remains the primary treatment strategy for NPC, yet consensus on the relative efficacy of induction chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiotherapy remains elusive. This study aims to systematically compare the relative efficacy of induction chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiotherapy on overall survival and treatment response using network meta-analysis, thereby providing evidence-based guidance for clinical decision-making. Following the PRISMA-NMA and Cochrane Manual guidelines, we systematically searched six databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and CNKI) for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between January 1998 and June 2025. Two researchers independently conducted literature screening, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. A total of 12 randomized controlled trials were ultimately included. Traditional meta-analysis and heterogeneity assessment were performed using RevMan 5.3 software. A network meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 17.0 software (Stata Corp LLC, College Station, TX, USA) based on a frequency framework, with interventions ranked by cumulative ranked probability area under the curve (SUCRA). Publication bias was evaluated using a corrected funnel plot. Network meta-analysis showed that while TD ranked first in the probability of being the best treatment for OS (SUCRA = 98.1%), only IC demonstrated a statistically significant survival benefit compared to the control group (HR = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.71). Regarding PFS, TD ranked first (SUCRA = 82.2%, HR = -0.68, 95% CI: -2.59, 1.23), although no intervention demonstrated a statistically significant benefit compared to the control group. In terms of ORR, IC had the highest probability (SUCRA = 71.6%, OR = 0.24, 95% CI: -2.18, 2.66), with no statistically significant differences among the interventions. Regarding CRR, TD showed the greatest advantage (SUCRA = 98.0%, OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.58). The network meta-analysis results indicate that induction chemotherapy offers the greatest advantage in improving overall survival for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, while targeted drugs perform best in reducing cumulative recurrence risk. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three interventions for progression-free survival or objective response rate. Radiotherapy alone did not demonstrate significant benefit across any outcome measures. This study provides important evidence-based support for individualized treatment decisions in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420251178558.

PMID 42465577
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