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INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE IN TIRANA, ALBANIAPolyethylene glycol conjugates with proteins:concept, design and therapeutical applications atthe University Hospital Center Mother Teresa inTiranaMirlinda Likmeta 1 , Artan Shkoza 2 , Ela Hoti 3 , Ledjan Malaj 31University Hospital Center (UHC) Mother Teresa , Tirana, Albania;2Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania;3Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.Aim: This study aims to describe the fundamentaltechnological and scientific principles of advanceddrug delivery/targeting and to analyze the applicationof polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugates withproteins by the Clinics of University Hospital Center(UHC) Mother Teresa in Tirana, Albania.Methods: A broad overview (from the beginningof 2000s until now) of advanced drug delivery/targeting recent papers is collected and provided inorder to introduce the terminology and various keyconcepts pertinent to this subject and in particularemphasizing the PEG conjugates with proteins. Theclinical use over time by the clinics of UHCMother Teresa of these new products is analyzedand pharmaceutical, economical and therapeuticconsiderations are provided.Results: Recently, it has been proved that endfunctionalizedPEG can modify biologically activeproteins. This interaction can cause a reduction ofimmunogenicity, but also an alteration of pharmacokinetics.The modification of a protein by PEGis the so-called PEGylation . Therapeuticaladvantages of PEGylation are also an increasedretention time in the body and an increased stabilitytowards metabolic enzymes. In addition, PEGylationof proteins can also impart sustained clinicalresponse with minimal dosing, leading to improvedquality of life and reduced treatment cost. Despitetheir biopharmaceutical advantages the use ofconjugates is still limited in UHC Mother Teresa .The products in use are mainly PEG conjugates ofinterferon used in the treatment of chronic hepatitisB and C and PEG conjugates of erythropoietinused in the treatment of patients with anaemiaassociated with chronic kidney disease. The numberof the dosage forms units of Pegasys used is 1833per year and the price is 240 euro. The number ofthe dosage forms units of Pegintron used is 100 peryear and the price is 361 euro. The treatment perpatient is of one year with a frequency of oneapplication per week. The number of the dosageforms units of Mircera used is approximately 275and the price various on the dosage used. Theproper dosage is prescribed depending on thepatients Hb level and also, duration of the treatmentdepends on the patient s hemoglobin level.Conclusion: The use of biotechnological productsis in expansion and of great interest from thepharmaceutical and therapeutic point of view. Theuse of these products remains still limited in Albania.Advice is given on the benefits of use of theseproducts such as increased efficiency, convenienceand the potential market expansion.Keywords: biotechnological products, polyethylene glycol conjugates, proteinsALBANIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT29