Recombinant human erythropoietin in pediatric oncology: a review.
BACKGROUND
Numerous reports on recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO, epoetin alfa) treatment of cancer-related anemia in adult patients have been published to date. These have shown that epoetin increases hemoglobin levels, significantly ameliorates symptoms of anemia, and improves adult patients' quality of life. Unfortunately, less is known about the impact of epoetin on anemia in pediatric cancer patients.


METHODS
It is the objective of this review to summarize and analyze data of clinical trials of epoetin treatment of anemia in pediatric cancer patients.


RESULTS
A total of 15 studies were reviewed; eight were considered for detailed analysis and demonstrated important variabilities in study methods. Four of the eight were controlled, randomized trials and four were open label.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies suggested an overall beneficial effect of epoetin alfa for treating anemia in children with cancer. Three large, multicenter clinical trials of the efficacy and safety of epoetin alfa in anemic children with cancer are currently underway, one in Europe and two in North America.
Feusner
James
J
Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, California, USA. jfeusner@mail.cho.org
Hastings
Caroline
C
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000639:trends; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000639:trends; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa