Compositions and Methods of Preventing Erythropoietin Associated Hypertension

Abstract

The inventors have discovered that both soluble erythropoietin-binding protein and antibodies against the erythropoietin-binding protein, when they are administered to a mammal along with erythropoietin (Epo), prevent or reduce the blood pressure increase normally caused by erythropoietin, while not affecting the hematocrit increase that is the purpose of Epo treatment. The invention provides a method of treating anemia in a mammal involving: administering erythropoietin (Epo) to the mammal; and administering to the mammal an agent selected from a soluble Epo-binding protein (Epo-bp), a recognition protein that binds Epo receptor on an extracellular soluble portion of the Epo receptor, and a combination thereof. The invention also provides a method of reducing hypertension in a mammal receiving Epo, and pharmaceutical compositions containing a soluble Epo-bp and/or a recognition protein that binds Epo receptor on an extracellular soluble portion of the Epo receptor.

1 . A method of treating anemia in a patient, comprising: administering to the patient both erythropoietin (Epo) and an antibody that binds SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the antibody is an antibody fragment. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the antibody fragment is Fab. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the Epo and the antibody are administered together. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the Epo and the antibody are administered separately. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the amount of antibody administered is at least equimolar with the amount of the Epo administered.