C. Oberhoff et al., Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on transfusion requirement and anemia in chemotherapy treated patients with solid tumors., TUMORDIAGN, 21(1), 2000, pp. 15-25
Anemia is a common side effect of cancer chemotherapy. Blood transfusion, p
reviously the only available treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia, may
result in some clinical or subclinical adverse effects in the recipients.
Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) provides a new treatment modality
for chemotherapy-induced anemia. Patients and Methods: To evaluate the effe
ct of rhEPO on the need of blood transfusions and on hemoglobin (Hb) concen
trations, 227 patients with solid tumors and chemotherapy-induced anemia we
re enrolled in a randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Of 189 patients ev
aluable for efficacy, 101 received 5000 IU rhEPO daily s.c. and 88 patients
were untreated during the 12-week treatment phase of the study. Results: T
he results demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in the need fo
r blood transfusions (26% vs. 41%, p = 0.028) and in the mean volume of pac
ked red blood cells transfused (152 mi vs. 190 ml, p = 0,044) in patients t
reated with rhEPO compared to untreated controls. This effect was even more
pronounced in patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy (26% vs. 45%,
p = 0.038). During the treatment phase, the median Hb values increased in
the rhEPO patients, whereas the values remained unchanged in the control gr
oup. The response was seen in all tumor types. Conclusions: rhEPO administr
ation at a dose of 5000 IU daily s.c. increases hemoglobin levels and reduc
es transfusion requirements in chemotherapy-induced anemia, especially duri
ng platinum-based chemotherapy.