RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN IN THE TREATMENT OF CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED ANEMIA AND PREVENTION OF TRANSFUSION REQUIREMENT ASSOCIATED WITH SOLID TUMORS - A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED-STUDY

Background: Anemia is a common side effect of anticancer chemotherapy. Blood transfusion, previously the only available treatment for chemot herapy-induced anemia, may result in some clinical or subclinical adve rse effects in the recipients. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO ) provides a new treatment modality for chemotherapy-induced anemia. P atients and methods. To evaluate the effect of rhEPO on the need for b lood transfusions and on hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, 227 patients with solid tumors and chemotherapy-induced anemia were enrolled in a r andomized, controlled, clinical trial. Of 189 patients evaluable for e fficacy 101 received 5000 ill rhEPO daily s,c., while 88 patients rece ived no treatment during the 12-week controlled phase of the study. Re sults. The results demonstrate a statistically significant reduction i n the need for blood transfusions (28% vs. 42%, P = 0.028) and in the mean volume of packed red blood cells transfused (152 ml vs, 190 ml, P = 0.044) in patients treated with rhEPO compared to untreated control s. This effect was even more pronounced in patients receiving platinum -based chemotherapy (26% vs. 45%, P = 0.038). During the controlled tr eatment phase, the median Hb values increased in the rhEPO patients wh ile remaining unchanged in the control group. The response was seen in all tumor types. Conclusions: RhEPO administration at a dose of 5000 IU daily s.c. increases hemoglobin levels and reduces transfusion requ irements in chemotherapy-induced anemia, especially during platinum-ba sed chemotherapy.