title: [Effect of treatment with recombinant erythropoietin in patients with multiple myeloma and kidney failure].
abstract: The efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has been confirmed in several clinical trials. We report our experience of r-HuEPO treatment in 5 myeloma patients with renal failure. The therapy with r-HuEPO (Eprex, Janssen-Cilag or Recormon, Boehringer, Mannheim) was started after 4-8 months from diagnosis, the drug was administered intravenously (in one patient subcutaneously after cessation of hemodialysis treatment), two or three times weekly. The initial doses were 4-12,000 units/week (mean 8,400). In all patients good response during the first month of therapy was observed. Median Hb and hematocrit increased from 70 g/l and 20.8% to 87 g/l and 26% after 1 month and to 105 g/l and 30.3% after 4-6 months, respectively. The need for blood transfusion decreased significantly--from 2.72 TU/month to 0.13 TU/month. WHO performance status and patients self-assessment of quality of live improved substantially after r-HuEPO. No serious adverse events, including hypertension and/or thromboembolic events were observed. In accordance with some previous reports we conclude r-HuEPO is effective and safe treatment in patients with MM and renal failure. Moreover, lower doses of growth factor could be effective in this particular group of patients.
authors.affiliation: I.interní klinika 1.lékarské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy a Vseobecné fakultní nemocnice v Praze, Praha, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spicka
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Svára
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Novosadová
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mácel
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Válková
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sulková
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merta
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Klener
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin
vernacular_title: Efekt lécby rekombinantním erytropoetinem u pacientu s mnohocetným myelomem a selháním ledvin.