title: Erythropoietin treatment of idiopathic myelofibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In order to determine whether recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) may play a role in treating anemia in idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF), a pilot study using high doses of rHuEPO was conducted on patients with IMF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From September, 1990 to December, 1992, 7 patients (6 males and 1 female, median age 68 years) affected by IMF entered the trial. RHuEPO was administered subcutaneously 5 days a week at a dosage of 160 U/kg daily for three months. Out of 7 patients, 4 obtained a response. These responders received additional maintenance treatment with rHuEPO until relapse. Response duration was 6, 7, 10+, and 16 months, respectively. Treatment was well-tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that rHuEPO may play a role in the treatment of anemia in some IMF patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biopathology, University La Sapienza of Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aloe Spiriti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Latagliata
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Avvisati
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Battistel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montefusco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spadea
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Petti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin