title: Prevention of anemia in patients with solid tumors receiving platinum-based chemotherapy by recombinant human Erythropoietin (rHuEpo): a prospective, open label, randomized trial by the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Platinum compounds are commonly associated with significant anemia. Erythropoietin administration has been found effective in correcting anemia in patients with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy. We conducted a randomized, open label study to assess the efficacy of erythropoietin in preventing transfusions and significant anemia (hemoglobin <10 g/dl) in patients with solid tumors receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-four patients with hemoglobin <13 g/dl were included in this study (72 in each arm). Patients in the treatment arm received 10,000 U of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) thrice weekly s.c. during platinum-based chemotherapy, while patients in the control arm received no treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were evaluable for efficacy. Transfusions were reduced by the administration of rHuEPO (15.3 vs. 33.3%, p = 0.019), and fewer patients developed significant anemia (16.6 vs. 45.8%, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with observed to predicted (O/P) serum erythropoietin levels <or=0.9 and responders to chemotherapy benefited from erythropoietin administration in contrast to patients with O/P >0.9 or non-responders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  rHuEPO at a dose of 10,000 U thrice weekly prevents transfusions and development of significant anemia in patients with solid tumors receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Oncology Department, Ioannina University Hospital, Ioannina, Greece. abamias@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bamias
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aravantinos
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kalofonos
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Timotheadou
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Siafaka
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vlahou
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Janinis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pectasides
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pavlidis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fountzilas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin