MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES - ERYTHROPOIETIN LEVEL AND TREATMENT WITH RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN

The serum levels of erythropoietin (Epo) were determined in thirty-two patients with all types of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) at the tim e of diagnosis and during follow up. Our aim was the evaluation of the Epo levels in relation with the anemia and the type of MDS as well as the prognosis of the disease. Twelve patients with severe anemia and Epo levels lower than 200 mU/mL received therapy with recombinant huma n erythropoietin (rHEpo) in doses of 150 U/Kg/day for a maximum period of 12 weeks in order to improve their anemia. All patients had increa sed Epo levels apart from four who had normal levels. We did not find any correlation between the type of MDS and the Epo levels. The patien ts with severe anemia had very high Epo levels although there were pat ients with normal levels despite their anemia. Eleven patients with di fferent Epo levels died from Acute Nonlymphocytic Leukemia. Of the twe lve patients who received rHEpo, six responded and increased the Hb le vels more than 2 g/dl or reduced their transfusion requirement.