Darbepoetin Alfa
ChemotherapyTreatment of cancer patients with anticancer drugs. Commonly called 'chemo'. These drugs work by attacking cell growth or division. Often these agents are used in combination to take advantage of their different modes of attack on cell division. drugs attack all fast dividing cells, both cancerous and normal, such as the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow stem cells. Red blood cells are formed in bone marrow, and with its depletion anemia (low red blood cell count) can arise as a common side effect of chemotherapy. Depletion of red blood cells results in a decrease in the body's ability to transport oxygen in the blood from the lungs to other cells of the body. Insufficient oxygen supply to the body's tissues prevents the them from functioning efficiently and can result in fatigue that can hinder daily activity. Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp®) is used to treat this anemia that may arise due to chemotherapy treatment.1
Darbepoetin is a recombinant (cloned) version of a naturally occuring proteinOne of the four basic types of biomolecule. Proteins are polymers made up of strings of amino acids. Proteins serve many functions in organisms including transport of molecules, structure, cell adhesion and as signaling molecules such as hormones. Many transcription factors, including p53 and Rb are proteins., erythropoietin. The drug stimulates bone marrow cells so that production of red blood cells increases. The improved replacement of red blood cells results in an improved energy level. Darbepoetin alfa is closely related to erythropoietin, the substance in the body that naturally stimulates red blood cell production.
Side effects are usually mild but may include: fatigue, swelling, nausea, Vomiting, diarrhea, fever and shortness of breath.1
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