title: Once-weekly epoetin beta is highly effective in treating anaemic patients with lymphoproliferative malignancy and defective endogenous erythropoietin production.
abstract: Epoetin beta, three-times weekly (t.i.w.), is effective in reversing anaemia in lymphoproliferative disorders. The current study investigated whether an epoetin beta dose of 30,000 IU given subcutaneously once weekly (q.w.) was at least as effective as 10,000 t.i.w. administration in anaemic patients with lymphoproliferative malignancy and defective endogenous erythropoietin (Epo) production. Overall, 241 anaemic patients with multiple myeloma, low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, all with serum Epo values </= 100 mU/ml, were randomized to receive the q.w. (n = 119) or t.i.w. (n = 122) regimen for 16 weeks. The primary efficacy criterion, i.e. the time-adjusted area under the haemoglobin-time curve from weeks 5-16, was comparable between the q.w. and t.i.w. groups [difference = - 0.20 g/dl (90% confidence interval - 0.52-0.11)]. Moreover, response rates were high and similar in both arms (72%vs 75%, q.w. and t.i.w. groups respectively). Baseline serum Epo was predictive of response: the lower serum Epo, the higher the likelihood of response (P = 0.002). Thus, epoetin beta administered q.w. is an effective and convenient treatment for anaemia in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. Tailoring this treatment modality to subjects with defective endogenous Epo production represents a rational use of epoetin from both a medical and a community perspective.
authors.affiliation: Division of Haematology, University of Pavia Medical School, Pavia, Italy. mario.cazzola@unipv.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Beguin
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kloczko
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spicka
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coiffier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013995:Time
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin