A GOOD RESPONSE RATE TO RECOMBINANT ERYTHROPOIETIN ALONE MAY BE EXPECTED IN SELECTED MYELODYSPLASTIC PATIENTS - A PRELIMINARY CLINICAL-STUDY

The use of recombinant erythropoietin for treatment of anemia in myelo dysplastic patients has so far produced poorer results than expected. Most clinical studies have been conducted without any selection of pat ients. In the present study we report our experience with the use of r hEPO in a population of selected MDS subjects. Only patients affected by refractory anemia according to FAB criteria, without significant WB C and platelets reduction, with normal LDH and short history of diseas e were eligible for the study and were treated with rhEPO at a dosage of 150 mg/kg three times a week for 2 months. Among 12 so treated pati ents, 7 (58.3%) achieved complete remission, 2 partial remission and 3 failed to respond. This high response rate makes more than acceptable the cost/benefit ratio for rhEPO in RA patients and may identify a su bgroup of patients that can be treated successfully with rhEPO alone.