IS ERYTHROPOIETIN TREATMENT SAFE AND EFFECTIVE IN MYELOMA PATIENTS RECEIVING HEMODIALYSIS

Still few data are available on efficacy and safety of recombinant ery thropoietin (rEPO) in patients with myeloma and end-stage renal failur e (ESR.F); two such hemodialysed patients are reported in whom only pa rtial response was observed, despite iron, folic acid supplementation and, in one case, high doses of rEPO (320 IU/kg/week). Despite improvm ent in well being and no need of further transfusion, hemoglobin did n ot reach 80 g/l. One patient developed recurrence 4 weeks after starti ng rEPO. Patients with ESRF and myeloma should benefit from rEPO but p articular attention should be paid to marrow proliferation.