Long-term follow-up of 18 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes responding to recombinant erythropoietin treatment.
The outcome of continued EPO therapy was studied in 18 responding MDS patients. The EPO dose was reduced in a stepwise fashion to find the lowest possible maintenance dose. Relapses of anemia were associated with either progressive disease or reduction of the administered EPO dose. In the latter group second responses to renewed EPO therapy were readily achieved. Long-term responses were seen in about a third of the patients. Thus, it seems safe to reduce the EPO dose among responding patients. This approach may have advantages both from a medical and a socio-economic perspective.
Hast
R
R
Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. robert.hast@kids.ki.se
Wallvik
J
J
Folin
A
A
Bernell
P
P
Stenke
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000753:Anemia, Refractory / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin