Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
trol these erythropoietic proteins provided that the urine is collected when suf-
ficient amounts of the material are present. More work is needed on the time-
course of detection after various doses have been administered. A few studies
are underway.
Epoetin omega
Epoetin omega has been administered to patients with anemia receiving
hemodialysis [75] and some information is available on its structure [76].
Epoetin omega is produced in baby hamster kidney cell cultures and is less
acidic than epoetin alfa or epoetin beta. In the current isoelectric focusing
assay, a reference standard of epoetin omega migrates to the most basic area
of the electropherogram. We recently analyzed a urine sample with isoforms
consistent with epoetin omega, suggesting that it is being used by some ath-
letes.
Epoetin delta
We are following the development of epoetin delta (dynepo), produced by
human cells and being developed by Transkaryotic Therapies, Inc. Until we
can obtain a reference standard of epoetin delta and a known positive urine
sample, we will not know whether or not the existing isoelectric focusing
assay will be able to detect it. Detection will depend in large part on how the
manufacturer selects the final glycoprotein fractions. We anticipate that the
band pattern will be basic, like epoetin alfa, and therefore detectable in the cur-
rent assay.
Generics
Proprietary DNA vector technology has been used to develop a generic epoet-
in alfa [77]. Undoubtedly, new erythropoietic proteins are under development
and products that are similar to epoetin alfa and epoetin beta are being pro-
duced outside the conventional pharmaceutical industry.
EPO
gene manipulation
International sport organizations are mindful that gene manipulation might be
used in the future to produce athletes with exceptional characteristics. At the
first meeting of the IOC Gene Therapy Working Group, gene therapy was
defined such that it would not include enhancement of athletes' performance
(“…transfer of genetic material to human somatic cells for the treatment or
prevention of disease or disorders”) [78]. The group opined that gene manipu-
lation is not on the immediate horizon, but that methods such as proteomic
analysis might be developed to be prepared when gene-based doping becomes
a reality.
