Landmark advances in the development of erythropoietin.

This is a Minireview covering landmarks or milestones in the development of erythropoietin (EPO). Thirty-nine landmark advances have been identified, which cover the period 1863-2003. Several reports are included that directly support these original landmark advances. This Minireview also updates some of the advances in EPO research since my last Minireview update on EPO published in this journal in 2003. The areas of EPO research updated are: sites of production; purification, assay and standardization; regulation; action; use in anemias; extraerythropoietic actions; adverse effects; and blood doping. The new reports on the use of EPO in the therapy of myocardial infarction; stroke and other neurological diseases; diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases are also covered.