Efbemalenograstim alfa

Efbemalenograstim alfa is a biopharmaceutical drug that is used to stimulate the production of white blood cells in the body. It is a type of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) that is produced through recombinant DNA technology.

Mechanism of Action

Efbemalenograstim alfa works by stimulating the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells. This is achieved by binding to specific receptors on the surface of hematopoietic stem cells, which triggers a series of cell signaling events that lead to the proliferation and differentiation of these cells into mature granulocytes and monocytes.

Clinical Uses

Efbemalenograstim alfa is primarily used to prevent neutropenia, a condition characterized by a low number of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in fighting off bacterial infections. Neutropenia is a common side effect of certain types of chemotherapy, and by increasing the number of neutrophils in the body, efbemalenograstim alfa can help to reduce the risk of infection in these patients.

Side Effects

Like all drugs, efbemalenograstim alfa can cause side effects. The most common side effects include bone pain, muscle aches, and flu-like symptoms. In rare cases, it can cause serious side effects such as splenomegaly (enlarged spleen), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and allergic reactions.

Development and Approval

Efbemalenograstim alfa was developed by Biocon Biologics, a subsidiary of the Indian biopharmaceutical company Biocon. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 for the treatment of patients with neutropenia associated with chemotherapy.

See Also

• Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
• Neutropenia
• Chemotherapy
• Biocon Biologics