ARA-290

clinical trials

Also known as: Cibinetide

**Mechanism of Action** ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix B domain of erythropoietin (EPO). It selectively binds the heterodimeric innate repair receptor (IRR), composed of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) and the β common receptor (CD131). This interaction activates tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways (e.g., PI3K/Akt, STAT3) without engaging the homodimeric EPOR, thereby avoiding erythropoiesis and associated thrombotic risks. The peptide primarily targets endothelial cells, neurons, and immune cells, promoting cytoprotection, angiogenesis, and resolution of inflammation. **Key Research Findings** In preclinical models, ARA-290 demonstrated efficacy in reducing neuropathic pain, improving wound healing, and attenuating ischemia-reperfusion injury. Clinical trials (Phase I–II) have shown significant reductions in pain scores and nerve fiber regeneration in patients with sarcoidosis-associated small fiber neuropathy. Additional studies reported improved cognitive function in type 2 diabetes and enhanced corneal nerve density in diabetic neuropathy. The peptide also reduced markers of systemic inflammation (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6) and oxidative stress in human trials. No serious adverse events related to erythropoiesis or hypertension were observed. **Clinical Relevance** ARA-290 is under investigation for chronic inflammatory and neuropathic conditions, including sarcoidosis, diabetic neuropathy, and post-surgical pain. Its ability to promote tissue repair without hematopoietic side effects positions it as a safer alternative to EPO for non-anemic indications. Ongoing Phase II/III trials are evaluating long-term safety and efficacy in diabetic kidney disease and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. For research purposes only — not medical advice.

Key data

Category
Healing & Recovery
Molecular weight
1257.3 g/mol
Molecular formula
C51H84N16O21
CAS number
1208243-50-8
Administration
subcutaneous
Research status
clinical trials
References
25
Tags
neuropathy, innate-repair-receptor, anti-inflammatory

Research & studies

Case Report: Regenerative peptides for Inferior alveolar nerve injury: a narrative review with hypothesis-generating three clinical cases
Frontiers in oral health · 2026 · PubMed

Peptides such as BPC-157, TB-500, and ARA-290 may affect pathways implicated in peripheral nerve repair, including inflammation regulation, cytoprotection, angiogenic signaling, extracellular matrix remodeling, Schwann cell biology, and axonal regeneration.; This biological evidence derives mainly from preclinical models and has not been directly established in patients with IAN injury.; Three illustrative cases treated with a multimodal peptide-containing approach showed neurosensory recovery, but uncontrolled design precludes causal inference.; Peptide-based interventions remain investigational, with unresolved questions on safety, delivery, dosing, and long-term outcomes; controlled trials with standardized outcome measures are needed.

Immunometabolic dysregulation drives selective executive cognitive dysfunction in male db/db mice
Neurobiology of disease · 2026 · PubMed

Db/db mice exhibited delayed task engagement and longer response latencies but maintained intact associative learning accuracy.; Reversal learning revealed pronounced impairments in cognitive flexibility, characterized by increased perseveration and reduced adaptation to changed reward contingencies.; ARA 290 treatment improved insulin sensitivity and altered circulating monocyte proportions but did not rescue executive cognitive flexibility deficits.; Hippocampal RNA-seq showed enrichment of immune pathways consistent with chronic low-grade inflammation, providing molecular context for the behavioral phenotype.

Mechanistic Approach for Protective Effect of ARA290, a Specific Ligand for the Erythropoietin/CD131 Heteroreceptor, against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity, the Involvement of Apoptosis and Inflammation Pathways
Inflammation · 2023 · PubMed

ARA290 reduced cisplatin-induced DNA damage parameters in comet assay and micronuclei frequency.; ARA290 improved oxidative stress by reducing MDA/ROS levels and enhancing antioxidant enzyme levels.; ARA290 mitigated cisplatin-induced renal inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines.; ARA290 ameliorated cisplatin-induced cell injury by antagonizing apoptosis, with decreased Caspase-3 and Bax and increased Bcl2.

Early monocyte modulation by the non-erythropoietic peptide ARA 290 decelerates AD-like pathology progression
Brain, behavior, and immunity · 2022 · PubMed

ARA 290 early treatment decelerated Aβ pathology and improved cognitive functions in young APP/PS1 mice.; ARA 290 increased total monocytes by stimulating generation of Ly6C Low patrolling subset, reducing brain Aβ burden.; ARA 290 was ineffective in aged APP/PS1 mice with advanced pathology and in chimeric mice with depleted patrolling monocytes.; The study suggests ARA 290 prevents AD-like progression via monocyte modulation, specifically increasing patrolling monocytes.

Synthesis and evaluation of (99m)Tc-DOTA-ARA-290 as potential SPECT tracer for targeting cardiac ischemic region
Iranian journal of basic medical sciences · 2021 · PubMed

Radiolabeling purity exceeded 96% with in vitro stability of 85% up to 6 hours.; Binding of 99mTc-ARA-290 to hypoxic cells was 3 times higher than to normoxic cells at 1 hour.; SPECT imaging in cardiac ischemic rats showed a cardiac ischemic-to-lung ratio of 3.65 ID/g% at 0.5 hours.; The radiopeptide is a promising candidate for early diagnosis of cardiac ischemia.

An engineered non-erythropoietic erythropoietin-derived peptide, ARA290, attenuates doxorubicin induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress
Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA · 2020 · PubMed

ARA290 significantly reduced doxorubicin-induced DNA damage, as measured by decreased percentage of DNA in tail and micronuclei frequency.; ARA290 markedly attenuated doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress by preserving antioxidant defense enzyme activities.; ARA290 protected against doxorubicin-induced inflammation and apoptotic cell death in the tested cell lines.; The protective effects of ARA290 suggest it may also extend to cardiac cells, potentially reducing doxorubicin cardiotoxicity.

Characterization of in vitro generated metabolites of selected peptides <2 kDa prohibited in sports
Drug testing and analysis · 2017 · PubMed

ARA-290 undergoes extensive exopeptidase-driven metabolism, producing a main metabolite PyrEQLERALN.; GHRP-3 and Peforelin exhibit considerable metabolic stability with a low tendency for deamidation.; The study presents two principle strategies for simulating peptide metabolism in vitro using blood specimens and recombinant amidase.

Managing fatigue in sarcoidosis - A systematic review of the evidence
Chronic respiratory disease · 2017 · PubMed

Eight studies met inclusion criteria, evaluating infliximab, adalimumab, ARA 290, methylphenidate, armodafinil, and exercise programs.; Anti-TNF therapies (adalimumab, infliximab) and neurostimulants (methylphenidate, armodafinil) showed some evidence of treatment effect.; Five studies had high risk of bias in most domains; the remaining three had small sample sizes and short duration.; Trial evidence for treating sarcoidosis-associated fatigue is limited and requires further investigation.

Frequently asked questions

What is ARA-290?

**Mechanism of Action** ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the helix B domain of erythropoietin (EPO). It selectively binds the heterodimeric innate repair receptor (IRR), composed of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) and the β common receptor (CD131). This interaction activates tissue-prote

How does ARA-290 work?

Erythropoietin-derived 11-aa peptide targeting the innate repair receptor (EPOR/CD131) for tissue protection without erythropoiesis.

What is the research status of ARA-290?

ARA-290 is currently classified as clinical trials, with 25 research references on record. This is for research purposes only and is not medical advice.

What is the molecular weight of ARA-290?

ARA-290 has a molecular weight of approximately 1257.3 g/mol (formula C51H84N16O21).

Related peptides

Build on ARA-290 data programmatically

Structured peptide data, semantic search, and AI summaries via one API.

Get a free API key