Abstract
Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hematopoietic growth hormone that regulates survival, proliferation, and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. A reduction in tissue oxygenation stimulates EPO production, through a complex feedback mechanism. Patients with cancer-related anemia have an inadequate EPO response that is further impaired by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Cancer-related anemia substantially impairs patient functioning and may contribute to poor treatment outcomes. A significant number of studies demonstrates that treatment of anemia in cancer patients using recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO, epoetin alfa) significantly increases haemoglobin (Hb) levels, reduces transfusion requirements, and improves quality of life, particularly by relieving fatigue. Recent data also show that epoetin alfa therapy may improve cognitive function in patients receiving chemotherapy. In addition, the correction of anemia may prolong survival by enhancing tumor oxygenation, thus increasing tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiation. The indicated dose of epoetin alfa is 150-300 IU/kg three times per week, but it is commonly dosed at 40,000-60,000 IU once weekly based on trial data and extensive clinical use. Determining the timing of initiation of epoetin alfa is a clinical judgement; however, data suggest that patient functioning declines and the risk of transfusion increases when the Hb level falls under 12 g/dL.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 563-575 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Cancer Treatment Reviews |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2004 |
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Keywords
- Anemia
- Cancer
- Epoetin alfa
- Haemoglobin
- Malignancy
- Treatment guidelines
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
- Urology
Cite this
Treatment of cancer-related anemia with epoetin alfa : A review. / Ferrario, Erminia; Ferrari, Leonardo; Bidoli, Paolo; De Candis, Daniela; Del Vecchio, Michele; De Dosso, Sara; Buzzoni, Roberto; Bajetta, Emilio.
In: Cancer Treatment Reviews, Vol. 30, No. 6, 10.2004, p. 563-575.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Treatment of cancer-related anemia with epoetin alfa
T2 - A review
AU - Ferrario, Erminia
AU - Ferrari, Leonardo
AU - Bidoli, Paolo
AU - De Candis, Daniela
AU - Del Vecchio, Michele
AU - De Dosso, Sara
AU - Buzzoni, Roberto
AU - Bajetta, Emilio
PY - 2004/10
Y1 - 2004/10
N2 - Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hematopoietic growth hormone that regulates survival, proliferation, and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. A reduction in tissue oxygenation stimulates EPO production, through a complex feedback mechanism. Patients with cancer-related anemia have an inadequate EPO response that is further impaired by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Cancer-related anemia substantially impairs patient functioning and may contribute to poor treatment outcomes. A significant number of studies demonstrates that treatment of anemia in cancer patients using recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO, epoetin alfa) significantly increases haemoglobin (Hb) levels, reduces transfusion requirements, and improves quality of life, particularly by relieving fatigue. Recent data also show that epoetin alfa therapy may improve cognitive function in patients receiving chemotherapy. In addition, the correction of anemia may prolong survival by enhancing tumor oxygenation, thus increasing tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiation. The indicated dose of epoetin alfa is 150-300 IU/kg three times per week, but it is commonly dosed at 40,000-60,000 IU once weekly based on trial data and extensive clinical use. Determining the timing of initiation of epoetin alfa is a clinical judgement; however, data suggest that patient functioning declines and the risk of transfusion increases when the Hb level falls under 12 g/dL.
AB - Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hematopoietic growth hormone that regulates survival, proliferation, and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. A reduction in tissue oxygenation stimulates EPO production, through a complex feedback mechanism. Patients with cancer-related anemia have an inadequate EPO response that is further impaired by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Cancer-related anemia substantially impairs patient functioning and may contribute to poor treatment outcomes. A significant number of studies demonstrates that treatment of anemia in cancer patients using recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO, epoetin alfa) significantly increases haemoglobin (Hb) levels, reduces transfusion requirements, and improves quality of life, particularly by relieving fatigue. Recent data also show that epoetin alfa therapy may improve cognitive function in patients receiving chemotherapy. In addition, the correction of anemia may prolong survival by enhancing tumor oxygenation, thus increasing tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiation. The indicated dose of epoetin alfa is 150-300 IU/kg three times per week, but it is commonly dosed at 40,000-60,000 IU once weekly based on trial data and extensive clinical use. Determining the timing of initiation of epoetin alfa is a clinical judgement; however, data suggest that patient functioning declines and the risk of transfusion increases when the Hb level falls under 12 g/dL.
KW - Anemia
KW - Cancer
KW - Epoetin alfa
KW - Haemoglobin
KW - Malignancy
KW - Treatment guidelines
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=4344627592&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=4344627592&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ctrv.2004.04.005
DO - 10.1016/j.ctrv.2004.04.005
M3 - Article
C2 - 15325036
AN - SCOPUS:4344627592
VL - 30
SP - 563
EP - 575
JO - Cancer Treatment Reviews
JF - Cancer Treatment Reviews
SN - 0305-7372
IS - 6
ER -