title: Use of recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia in patients who have cancer.
abstract: Mild to moderate anemia associated with malignant disease can contribute to the overall morbidity in patients with cancer. Because this anemia has been linked to a blunted erythropoietin response, recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) was assessed as a means to correct it and provide some degree of palliation. Three different patient populations were studied: one population not administered chemotherapy, a second population administered chemotherapy that did not include cisplatin, and a third population administered chemotherapy that included cisplatin. In all patient populations, r-HuEPO increased hematocrit values compare with placebo. In the two chemotherapy-treated populations, r-HuEPO decreased blood transfusion requirements after the first month of therapy. Patient-rated energy levels, ability to engage in daily activity, and overall quality of life improved in patients who responded to r-HuEPO therapy with an increase in hematocrit values of 6 percentage points or more. Thus, it appears that r-HuEPO may be a useful adjunct for palliation and treatment of anemia in patients with cancer.
authors.affiliation: Biotech Division, Robert Wood Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Raritan, NJ 08869.
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Abels
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D002945:Cisplatin