title: Applications of darbepoietin-alpha, a novel erythropoiesis-stimulating protein, in oncology.
abstract: Darbepoietin-alpha is a novel erythropoiesis-stimulating protein that may help address some of the unmet needs of anemia treatment in patients with cancer. Compared with recombinant human erythropoietin, darbepoietin-alpha has increased sialylated carbohydrate content, associated with a prolonged serum half-life and increased in vivo biologic activity. Data from trials in patients with cancer with a range of tumor types, whether receiving chemotherapy or not, indicate that darbepoietin-alpha is effective in alleviating anemia when dosed at intervals of once every 1, 2, or 3 weeks and may effect greater and more rapid responses than recombinant human erythropoietin. Health-related quality of life benefits have been observed with darbepoietin-alpha treatment, and in a study of patients with small-cell lung cancer, darbepoietin-alpha was associated with increased progression-free survival. Administration of darbepoietin-alpha at extended dosing intervals offers the possibility of enhanced patient convenience and compliance and a reduced burden on healthcare resources. Confirmation of improved response and response times with this novel therapy may enable patients with cancer to benefit more rapidly.
authors.affiliation: South Carolina Oncology Associates, Columbia, South Carolina 29201, USA. RSMITH@SCOncology.net
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa