title: Efficacy of a single, weekly dose of recombinant erythropoietin in myelodysplastic syndromes.
abstract: Thirteen patients with low-to-intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) received recombinant erythropoietin (r-EPO) at the single, weekly dose of 40.000 U for at least 8 weeks. Five patients (38.4%) achieved a major erythroid response (increased haemoglobin levels > 2 g/dl and/or transfusion independence), which is currently maintained after 3-11 months, without modification of r-EPO dose. This study suggests that 40.000 U r-EPO given once a week may be at least as effective as the more frequent (daily or three times a week) administrations of the drug usually employed in MDS patients.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Haematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza', S. Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. p.musto@tin.it
authors.forename: Pellegrino
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Musto
authors.forename: Antonietta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falcone
authors.forename: Grazia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sanpaolo
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bodenizza
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: La Sala
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perla
authors.forename: Angelo Michele
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Carella
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin