Human recombinant erythropoietin and quality of life: a wonder drug or something to wonder about?
Over the past decade an increasing number of studies have supported the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin) in cancer patients, suggesting that it improves haemoglobin concentrations for some. There is also evidence that this treatment may lead to improvement in quality of life for cancer patients. This systematic review examines the issue. We identified and critically reviewed 13 trials. Although some of the results indicate that epoetin has positive effects on quality of life, methodological limitations inherent in most of the studies hamper interpretation of data. Evidence from this review suggests that more robust designs are required to show any significant quality-of-life benefits for cancer patients undergoing epoetin treatment.
Bottomley
Andrew
A
Quality of Life Unit, EORTC Data Center, Brussels, Belgium. abo@eortc.be
Thomas
Ronald
R
van Steen
Kristel
K
Flechtner
Henning
H
Djulbegovic
Benjamin
B
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa