Novel peptides that bind to the erythropoietin receptor

Abstract

The present invention relates to peptide compounds that are agonists of the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R). The invention also relates to therapeutic methods using such peptide compounds to treat disorders associated with insufficient or defective red blood cell production. Pharmaceutical compositions, which comprise the peptide compounds of the invention, are also provided.

1 . A method for treating a patient, comprising administering to a patient having a disorder characterized by a deficiency of erythropoietin or a low or defective red blood cell population, a therapeutically effective amount of a peptide comprising about 17 to about 40 amino acid residues in length and comprising the amino acid sequence: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
               
                     
                   (SEQ ID NO: 1) 
                 
                     
                   LYACHX 0 GPITX 1 VCQPLR 
                 
             
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
       wherein X 0  is a residue selected from the group consisting of methionine (M) and homoserine methylether (Hsm), and X 1  is a residue selected from tryptophan (W), 1-naphthylalanine (1-nal), and 2-naphthylalanine (2-nal). 
     
     
         2 - 29 . (canceled)