EPO-Derived Peptide

ARA-290

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Overview

A peptide derived from erythropoietin that targets tissue protection without raising red-cell counts; studied in small-fiber neuropathy and sarcoidosis.

How it works

ARA-290 (cibinetide) is a small peptide derived from erythropoietin (EPO), the hormone that boosts red blood cells — but it's specifically engineered to keep EPO's tissue-protective effects without the blood-boosting one.

It does this by selectively activating the 'innate repair receptor' (a hybrid of the EPO receptor and another subunit), which drives anti-inflammatory and cell-protective signaling. Crucially, it avoids the standard EPO receptor, so it doesn't raise red-cell counts or thicken the blood.

It's investigational, studied in conditions like small-fiber neuropathy and sarcoidosis, and given by subcutaneous injection in trials.

Mechanism · Detailed Analysis

Molecular targetAn 11-amino-acid erythropoietin-derived peptide that selectively activates the innate-repair receptor (an EPOR/β-common-receptor heteromer).

Signaling & downstream effectsCytoprotective and anti-inflammatory signalling without engaging the homodimeric EPO receptor responsible for erythropoiesis (so it does not raise red-cell counts).

CaveatsInvestigational (small-fibre neuropathy, sarcoidosis).

Published EvidenceFree · cited live from PubMed

Human Data 30

Comment

Editorial

Tracey KJ · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2013 — PMID 24178588 ↗

Review

ARA 290 for treatment of small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis

van Velzen M et al. · Expert opinion on investigational drugs · 2014 — PMID 24555851 ↗

Study

ARA 290 relieves pathophysiological pain by targeting TRPV1 channel: Integration between immune system and nociception

Zhang W et al. · Peptides · 2016 — PMID 26774587 ↗

Systematic Review

Managing fatigue in sarcoidosis - A systematic review of the evidence

Atkins C et al. · Chronic respiratory disease · 2017 — PMID 27507833 ↗

Review

Erythropoietin-mediated protection in kidney transplantation: nonerythropoietic EPO derivatives improve function without increasing risk of cardiovascular events

van Rijt WG et al. · Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation · 2014 — PMID 23964738 ↗

Review

The protective effect of erythropoietin and its novel derived peptides in peripheral nerve injury

Liu G et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2024 — PMID 38943972 ↗

Randomized Controlled Trial

Safety and efficacy of ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with symptoms of small fiber neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind pilot study

Heij L et al. · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2012 — PMID 23168581 ↗

Randomized Controlled Trial

ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density

Dahan A et al. · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2013 — PMID 24136731 ↗

Systematic Review

The time to develop treatments for diabetic neuropathy

Rendell MS · Expert opinion on investigational drugs · 2021 — PMID 33423557 ↗

Clinical Trial, Phase II

ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes

Brines M et al. · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2015 — PMID 25387363 ↗

Review

Flipping the molecular switch for innate protection and repair of tissues: Long-lasting effects of a non-erythropoietic small peptide engineered from erythropoietin

Collino M et al. · Pharmacology & therapeutics · 2015 — PMID 25728128 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Targeting the innate repair receptor axis via erythropoietin or pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide attenuates hemolytic-uremic syndrome in mice

Dennhardt S et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2022 — PMID 36211426 ↗

See all 30 on PubMed →

Animal 25

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets

Watanabe M et al. · Transplantation · 2016 — PMID 26683514 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Early monocyte modulation by the non-erythropoietic peptide ARA 290 decelerates AD-like pathology progression

Al-Onaizi MA et al. · Brain, behavior, and immunity · 2022 — PMID 34343617 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Immunometabolic dysregulation drives selective executive cognitive dysfunction in male db/db mice

Alasousi D et al. · Neurobiology of disease · 2026 — PMID 41933665 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus

Huang B et al. · Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 2018 — PMID 29570934 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Erythropoietin-derived nonerythropoietic peptide ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis by inflammation suppression and tissue protection

Liu Y et al. · PloS one · 2014 — PMID 24603865 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

ARA 290, a peptide derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin, produces long-term relief of neuropathic pain coupled with suppression of the spinal microglia response

Swartjes M et al. · Molecular pain · 2014 — PMID 24529189 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Erythropoietin-derived peptide ARA290 mediates brain tissue protection through the β-common receptor in mice with cerebral ischemic stroke

Wang RL et al. · CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2024 — PMID 38488446 ↗

In Vitro 13

Study

Synthesis and evaluation of (99m)Tc-DOTA-ARA-290 as potential SPECT tracer for targeting cardiac ischemic region

Mohtavinejad N et al. · Iranian journal of basic medical sciences · 2021 — PMID 35317117 ↗

Study

Characterization of in vitro generated metabolites of selected peptides <2 kDa prohibited in sports

Thomas A et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2017 — PMID 28941172 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets

Watanabe M et al. · Transplantation · 2016 — PMID 26683514 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus

Huang B et al. · Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 2018 — PMID 29570934 ↗

Study

The Non-Erythropoietic EPO Analogue Cibinetide Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro and Increases Bone Mineral Density in Mice

Awida Z et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · 2021 — PMID 35008482 ↗

Study

Improvement of Islet Allograft Function Using Cibinetide, an Innate Repair Receptor Ligand

Yao M et al. · Transplantation · 2020 — PMID 32345869 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Potential role of erythropoietin receptors and ligands in attenuating apoptosis and inflammation in critical limb ischemia

Joshi D et al. · Journal of vascular surgery · 2014 — PMID 24055514 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Mesoporous Silica Particles as a Multifunctional Delivery System for Pain Relief in Experimental Neuropathy

Studies are surfaced live from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed). biohackr indexes and links the published record; it does not host or alter source articles.

Published EvidenceLoading cited studies from PubMed…

Human Data ···

Searching the published record…

Animal ···

Searching the published record…

In Vitro ···

Searching the published record…

Educational aggregation of public literature. Not medical advice and not a recommendation to use any compound. Many compounds here are not approved for human use. Consult a licensed clinician.

Published EvidenceFree · cited live from PubMed

Human Data 30

Comment

Editorial

Tracey KJ · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2013 — PMID 24178588 ↗

Review

ARA 290 for treatment of small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis

van Velzen M et al. · Expert opinion on investigational drugs · 2014 — PMID 24555851 ↗

Study

ARA 290 relieves pathophysiological pain by targeting TRPV1 channel: Integration between immune system and nociception

Zhang W et al. · Peptides · 2016 — PMID 26774587 ↗

Systematic Review

Managing fatigue in sarcoidosis - A systematic review of the evidence

Atkins C et al. · Chronic respiratory disease · 2017 — PMID 27507833 ↗

Review

Erythropoietin-mediated protection in kidney transplantation: nonerythropoietic EPO derivatives improve function without increasing risk of cardiovascular events

van Rijt WG et al. · Transplant international : official journal of the European Society for Organ Transplantation · 2014 — PMID 23964738 ↗

Review

The protective effect of erythropoietin and its novel derived peptides in peripheral nerve injury

Liu G et al. · International immunopharmacology · 2024 — PMID 38943972 ↗

Randomized Controlled Trial

Safety and efficacy of ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with symptoms of small fiber neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind pilot study

Heij L et al. · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2012 — PMID 23168581 ↗

Randomized Controlled Trial

ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density

Dahan A et al. · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2013 — PMID 24136731 ↗

Systematic Review

The time to develop treatments for diabetic neuropathy

Rendell MS · Expert opinion on investigational drugs · 2021 — PMID 33423557 ↗

Clinical Trial, Phase II

ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes

Brines M et al. · Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) · 2015 — PMID 25387363 ↗

Review

Flipping the molecular switch for innate protection and repair of tissues: Long-lasting effects of a non-erythropoietic small peptide engineered from erythropoietin

Collino M et al. · Pharmacology & therapeutics · 2015 — PMID 25728128 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Targeting the innate repair receptor axis via erythropoietin or pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide attenuates hemolytic-uremic syndrome in mice

Dennhardt S et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2022 — PMID 36211426 ↗

See all 30 on PubMed →

Animal 25

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets

Watanabe M et al. · Transplantation · 2016 — PMID 26683514 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Early monocyte modulation by the non-erythropoietic peptide ARA 290 decelerates AD-like pathology progression

Al-Onaizi MA et al. · Brain, behavior, and immunity · 2022 — PMID 34343617 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Immunometabolic dysregulation drives selective executive cognitive dysfunction in male db/db mice

Alasousi D et al. · Neurobiology of disease · 2026 — PMID 41933665 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus

Huang B et al. · Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 2018 — PMID 29570934 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Erythropoietin-derived nonerythropoietic peptide ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis by inflammation suppression and tissue protection

Liu Y et al. · PloS one · 2014 — PMID 24603865 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

ARA 290, a peptide derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin, produces long-term relief of neuropathic pain coupled with suppression of the spinal microglia response

Swartjes M et al. · Molecular pain · 2014 — PMID 24529189 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Erythropoietin-derived peptide ARA290 mediates brain tissue protection through the β-common receptor in mice with cerebral ischemic stroke

Wang RL et al. · CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2024 — PMID 38488446 ↗

In Vitro 13

Study

Synthesis and evaluation of (99m)Tc-DOTA-ARA-290 as potential SPECT tracer for targeting cardiac ischemic region

Mohtavinejad N et al. · Iranian journal of basic medical sciences · 2021 — PMID 35317117 ↗

Study

Characterization of in vitro generated metabolites of selected peptides <2 kDa prohibited in sports

Thomas A et al. · Drug testing and analysis · 2017 — PMID 28941172 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets

Watanabe M et al. · Transplantation · 2016 — PMID 26683514 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus

Huang B et al. · Journal of cellular and molecular medicine · 2018 — PMID 29570934 ↗

Study

The Non-Erythropoietic EPO Analogue Cibinetide Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro and Increases Bone Mineral Density in Mice

Awida Z et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · 2021 — PMID 35008482 ↗

Study

Improvement of Islet Allograft Function Using Cibinetide, an Innate Repair Receptor Ligand

Yao M et al. · Transplantation · 2020 — PMID 32345869 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Potential role of erythropoietin receptors and ligands in attenuating apoptosis and inflammation in critical limb ischemia

Joshi D et al. · Journal of vascular surgery · 2014 — PMID 24055514 ↗

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Mesoporous Silica Particles as a Multifunctional Delivery System for Pain Relief in Experimental Neuropathy

Studies are surfaced live from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed). biohackr indexes and links the published record; it does not host or alter source articles.

ARA-290

Editorial

ARA 290 for treatment of small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis

ARA 290 relieves pathophysiological pain by targeting TRPV1 channel: Integration between immune system and nociception

Managing fatigue in sarcoidosis - A systematic review of the evidence

Erythropoietin-mediated protection in kidney transplantation: nonerythropoietic EPO derivatives improve function without increasing risk of cardiovascular events

The protective effect of erythropoietin and its novel derived peptides in peripheral nerve injury

Safety and efficacy of ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with symptoms of small fiber neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind pilot study

ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density

The time to develop treatments for diabetic neuropathy

ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes

Flipping the molecular switch for innate protection and repair of tissues: Long-lasting effects of a non-erythropoietic small peptide engineered from erythropoietin

Targeting the innate repair receptor axis via erythropoietin or pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide attenuates hemolytic-uremic syndrome in mice

A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets

Early monocyte modulation by the non-erythropoietic peptide ARA 290 decelerates AD-like pathology progression

Immunometabolic dysregulation drives selective executive cognitive dysfunction in male db/db mice

Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus

Erythropoietin-derived nonerythropoietic peptide ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis by inflammation suppression and tissue protection

ARA 290, a peptide derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin, produces long-term relief of neuropathic pain coupled with suppression of the spinal microglia response

Erythropoietin-derived peptide ARA290 mediates brain tissue protection through the β-common receptor in mice with cerebral ischemic stroke

Synthesis and evaluation of (99m)Tc-DOTA-ARA-290 as potential SPECT tracer for targeting cardiac ischemic region

Characterization of in vitro generated metabolites of selected peptides <2 kDa prohibited in sports

A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets

Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus

The Non-Erythropoietic EPO Analogue Cibinetide Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro and Increases Bone Mineral Density in Mice

Improvement of Islet Allograft Function Using Cibinetide, an Innate Repair Receptor Ligand

Potential role of erythropoietin receptors and ligands in attenuating apoptosis and inflammation in critical limb ischemia

Mesoporous Silica Particles as a Multifunctional Delivery System for Pain Relief in Experimental Neuropathy

Editorial

ARA 290 for treatment of small fiber neuropathy in sarcoidosis

ARA 290 relieves pathophysiological pain by targeting TRPV1 channel: Integration between immune system and nociception

Managing fatigue in sarcoidosis - A systematic review of the evidence

Erythropoietin-mediated protection in kidney transplantation: nonerythropoietic EPO derivatives improve function without increasing risk of cardiovascular events

The protective effect of erythropoietin and its novel derived peptides in peripheral nerve injury

Safety and efficacy of ARA 290 in sarcoidosis patients with symptoms of small fiber neuropathy: a randomized, double-blind pilot study

ARA 290 improves symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small nerve fiber loss and increases corneal nerve fiber density

The time to develop treatments for diabetic neuropathy

ARA 290, a nonerythropoietic peptide engineered from erythropoietin, improves metabolic control and neuropathic symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes

Flipping the molecular switch for innate protection and repair of tissues: Long-lasting effects of a non-erythropoietic small peptide engineered from erythropoietin

Targeting the innate repair receptor axis via erythropoietin or pyroglutamate helix B surface peptide attenuates hemolytic-uremic syndrome in mice

A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets

Early monocyte modulation by the non-erythropoietic peptide ARA 290 decelerates AD-like pathology progression

Immunometabolic dysregulation drives selective executive cognitive dysfunction in male db/db mice

Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus

Erythropoietin-derived nonerythropoietic peptide ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis by inflammation suppression and tissue protection

ARA 290, a peptide derived from the tertiary structure of erythropoietin, produces long-term relief of neuropathic pain coupled with suppression of the spinal microglia response

Erythropoietin-derived peptide ARA290 mediates brain tissue protection through the β-common receptor in mice with cerebral ischemic stroke

Synthesis and evaluation of (99m)Tc-DOTA-ARA-290 as potential SPECT tracer for targeting cardiac ischemic region

Characterization of in vitro generated metabolites of selected peptides <2 kDa prohibited in sports

A Nonhematopoietic Erythropoietin Analogue, ARA 290, Inhibits Macrophage Activation and Prevents Damage to Transplanted Islets

Non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide protects mice from systemic lupus erythematosus

The Non-Erythropoietic EPO Analogue Cibinetide Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro and Increases Bone Mineral Density in Mice

Improvement of Islet Allograft Function Using Cibinetide, an Innate Repair Receptor Ligand

Potential role of erythropoietin receptors and ligands in attenuating apoptosis and inflammation in critical limb ischemia

Mesoporous Silica Particles as a Multifunctional Delivery System for Pain Relief in Experimental Neuropathy

Mesoporous Silica Particles as a Multifunctional Delivery System for Pain Relief in Experimental Neuropathy

Ketamine does not produce relief of neuropathic pain in mice lacking the β-common receptor (CD131)

A non-erythropoietic peptide derivative of erythropoietin decreases susceptibility to diet-induced insulin resistance in mice

Improvement of Islet Allograft Function Using Cibinetide, an Innate Repair Receptor Ligand

Therapeutic effects of nonerythropoietic erythropoietin analog ARA290 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis rat

Therapeutic effects of nonerythropoietic erythropoietin analog ARA290 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis rat

An engineered non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide, ARA290, attenuates doxorubicin induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress

Erythropoietin-derived nonerythropoietic peptide ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis by inflammation suppression and tissue protection

The vasoreparative potential of endothelial colony-forming cells in the ischemic retina is enhanced by cibinetide, a non-hematopoietic erythropoietin mimetic