1. Thyrotropin Alfa Drugbank ID : DB00024
Protein chemical formula : C975H1513N267O304S26
Protein average weight :
Half life : 5 +/- 10 hrs

2. Description : Indication :
Thyrotropin alfa is a recombinant form of thyroid stimulating hormone used in performing certain tests in patients who have or have had thyroid cancer. It is also used along with a radioactive agent to destroy remaining thyroid tissue in certain patients who have had their thyroid gland removed because of thyroid cancer. It is a heterodimeric glycoprotein comprised of two non-covalently linked subunits, an alpha subunit of 92 amino acid residues containing two N-linked glycosylation sites and a beta subunit of 112 residues containing one N-linked glycosylation site. The alpha subunit is nearly identical to that of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The alpha subunit is thought to be the effector region responsible for stimulation of adenylate cyclase (involved the generation of cAMP). The beta subunit (TSHB) is unique to TSH, and therefore determines its receptor specificity. The amino acid sequence of thyrotropin alfa is identical to that of human pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone.
Indication :
For detection of residueal or recurrent thyroid cancer

3. Pharmacodynamics : Mechanism of action : Route of elimination :
Binding of thyrotropin alfa to TSH receptors on normal thyroid epithelial cells or on well-differentiated thyroid cancer tissue stimulates iodine uptake and organification. Thyrogen is an exogenous source of human TSH that offers an additional diagnostic tool in the follow-up of patients with a history of well-differentiated thyroid cancer..
Mechanism of action :
Thyrotropin Alfa binds to the thyrotropin receptors found on any residual thyroid cells or tissues. This stimulates radioactive iodine uptake for better radiodiagnostic imaging.
Route of elimination :
kidney and liver

4. Targets : Affected organisms : Thyrotropin receptor
Humans and other mammals .

5. Categories : Patents : Sequence : Diagnostic Agents
Country Patent Number Approved Expires
United States
Sequence :
Alpha chain
APDVQDCPECTLQENPFFSQPGAPILQCMGCCFSRAYPTPLRSKKTMLVQKNVTSESTCCVAKSYNRVTVMGGFKVENHTACHCSTCYYHKS Beta chain
FCIPTEYTMHIERRECAYCLTINTTICAGYCMTRDINGKLFLPKYALSQDVCTYRDFIYRTVEIPGCPLHVAPYFSYPVALSCKCGKCNTDYSDCIHEAIKTNYCTKPQKSY

6. Brands : Thyrogen
Company : Genzyme Inc
Description : THYROGEN (thyrotropin alfa for injection) contains recombinant human thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyrotropin alfa is synthesized in a genetically modified Chinese hamster ovary cell line. Thyrotropin alfa is a heterodimeric glycoprotein comprised of two non-covalently linked subunits, an alpha subunit of 92 amino acid residues containing two N-linked glycosylation sites and a beta subunit of 118 residues containing one N-linked glycosylation site. The amino acid sequence of thyrotropin alfa is identical to that of human pituitary TSH. Both thyrotropin alfa and naturally occurring human pituitary TSH are synthesized as a mixture of glycosylation variants. Unlike pituitary TSH, which is secreted as a mixture of sialylated and sulfated forms, thyrotropin alfa is sialylated but not sulfated. The biological activity of thyrotropin alfa is determined by a cell-based bioassay. In this assay, cells expressing a functional TSH receptor and a cAMP-responsive element coupled to a heterologous reporter gene, luciferase, enable the measurement of thyrotropin alfa activity by measuring the luciferase response.
Used for/Prescribed for : it is used for Performing certain tests in patients who have or have had thyroid cancer. It is also used along with a radioactive agent to destroy remaining thyroid tissue in certain patients who have had their thyroid gland removed because of thyroid cancer.
Formulation : Each vial of THYROGEN contains 1.1 mg thyrotropin alfa, 36 mg Mannitol, 5.1 mg Sodium Phosphate, and 2.4 mg Sodium Chloride.
Form : lyophilized powder
Route of administration : intramuscular preferably the buttocks

7. Dosage : THYROGEN is indicated as a two-injection regimen
Dosage : THYROGEN is indicated as a two-injection regimen. The recommended dosage of THYROGEN is a 0.9 mg intramuscular injection to the buttock followed by a second 0.9 mg intramuscular injection to the buttock 24 hours later. Contraindication : allergic Side effects : Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; one-sided weakness; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; shortness of breath or other breathing problems; slurred speech; vision problems. Drug interaction : A total of 57 drugs (176 brand and generic names) are known to interact moderately with Thyrogen (thyrotropin alpha).

8. References : http://www. rxlist. com/thyrogen-drug. htm http://www