Is epoetin alfa a treatment option for chemotherapy-related anemia in children?
BACKGROUND
The efficacy and safety of epoetin alfa in ameliorating cancer- or chemotherapy-related anemia and reducing red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirements have been demonstrated in numerous trials in adult patients. However, limited information is available about recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO, epoetin alfa) as a treatment option in pediatric cancer patients.


METHODS
To gain more information about the efficacy and safety of epoetin alfa in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in children with solid tumors receiving either platinum- or nonplatinum-containing chemotherapy, an 8-week randomized trial was conducted. Epoetin alfa 150 IU/kg was given 3 times a week for 8 weeks to 17 patients; 17 control patients received standard of care.


RESULTS
Transfusions, administered if the hemoglobin (Hb) level dropped to below 6 g/dL, were necessary for only one patient in the epoetin alfa group, as compared with eight patients in the control group (change in Hb from 8.5-10.21 g/dL in the epoetin alfa group vs. 8.48-8.41 g/dL in the control group).


CONCLUSIONS
The data from this study suggest that this dosing regimen of epoetin alfa is effective and safe in pediatric cancer patients with chemotherapy-related anemia. Further studies with epoetin alfa in more children with different chemotherapy regimens are needed.
Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology, Ankara, Turkey. mpamukcu@hacettepe.edu.tr
Münevver
M
Büyükpamukçu
Ali
A
Varan
Tezer
T
Kutluk
Canan
C
Akyüz
D000293:Adolescent; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa