What it is
ARA-290 (cibinetide) is an 11-amino-acid peptide derived from the tissue-protective domain of erythropoietin (EPO), the hormone known for stimulating red blood cell production. It is studied for neuropathic pain, small fiber neuropathy (damage to the thin nerve fibers that carry pain and temperature signals) and anti-inflammatory tissue repair, without EPO's red-blood-cell-boosting effects.
In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under healing and immune. It is an investigational compound that has been tested in small, early-stage human trials, described below.
How it's thought to work
ARA-290 is described as selectively activating the innate repair receptor, a complex of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor, which is associated with reduced inflammation and tissue repair rather than with red blood cell production. It was designed from the structure of erythropoietin to interact selectively with the innate repair receptor without stimulating erythropoiesis, the formation of red blood cells.
What the research says
A randomized, double-blind pilot study in 22 people with sarcoidosis and symptoms of small fiber neuropathy found that the ARA 290 group improved more than the placebo group on a small fiber neuropathy symptom score after four weeks, while a pain-intensity score improved to a similar degree in both groups.
A phase 2 study in people with type 2 diabetes and painful neuropathy reported improvements in HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar), lipid profiles and a neuropathic symptom questionnaire in the ARA 290 group, along with an increase in corneal nerve fiber density in participants whose baseline density was below normal, compared with no change on placebo. These were early-stage studies, and ARA-290 is not FDA-approved.
Reported side effects
Both trials described above reported no safety concerns. The PeptidesAI encyclopedia lists mild injection site reactions, and long-term data is limited.
Reconstitution
ARA-290 (Cibinetide) is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. It commonly comes in 2 mg and 4 mg vials. The amount of peptide in the vial is fixed; the water added only changes how concentrated the solution is.
Worked example. A 4 mg vial is 4,000 mcg. Reconstituted with 2 mL of BAC water, that works out to 4,000 mcg ÷ 2 mL = 2,000 mcg/mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, where each unit is 0.01 mL, each unit holds 2,000 × 0.01 = 20 mcg. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out the concentration and units for any vial size and water volume.
Important notes
ARA-290 is an investigational compound and is not FDA-approved for any use. The evidence comes from small, short early-stage trials.
Sources
- 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, 2012. Human trial
- 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, 2015. Human trial
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is ARA-290?
An 11-amino-acid peptide derived from erythropoietin's tissue-protective domain, studied for neuropathic pain, small fiber neuropathy and anti-inflammatory tissue repair without EPO's red-blood-cell-boosting effects.
How is ARA-290 thought to work?
It is described as selectively activating the innate repair receptor, a complex of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair without stimulating red blood cell production.
What does the research on ARA-290 say?
Small early-stage trials in sarcoidosis-related small fiber neuropathy and in type 2 diabetes with painful neuropathy reported improvements in some symptom and metabolic measures. It is not FDA-approved.
What are the reported side effects of ARA-290?
Both early trials reported no safety concerns. Mild injection site reactions are listed, and long-term data is limited.
How much is one unit from a 4 mg ARA-290 (Cibinetide) vial?
With 2 mL of BAC water, a 4 mg vial is 2,000 mcg/mL, so one unit on a U-100 syringe (0.01 mL) holds 20 mcg.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for ARA-290 (Cibinetide) — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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