title: Darbepoetin alfa administered every 3 weeks alleviates anaemia in patients with solid tumours receiving chemotherapy; results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study.
abstract: This dose-finding, placebo-controlled study evaluated the safety and efficacy of darbepoetin alfa administered every 3 weeks (Q3W) to anaemic patients receiving chemotherapy. In part A, patients (haemoglobin </=110 g/l) were randomised in a 1:4 ratio to receive 1 of 6 doses of darbepoetin alfa (4.5, 6.75, 9.0, 12.0, 13.5 and 15.0 microg/kg) or placebo Q3W for 12 weeks. In part B, patients received open-label darbepoetin alfa. Patients (n=249) were evaluated for safety, haemoglobin endpoints and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Darbepoetin alfa given at doses ranging from 4.5 to 15.0 microg/kg Q3W was well tolerated and comparable to placebo in terms of safety. No neutralising antibodies were detected. All doses (from 4.5 to 15 microg/kg) reduced transfusions compared with placebo, and resulted in >50% of patients achieving a haematopoietic response. Administration of darbepoetin alfa Q3W has a tolerable safety profile and effectively ameliorates anaemia due to chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Ashford Cancer Centre, 15 Alexander Avenue, Ashford SA 5035, Australia. dusan.kotasek@bigpond.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kotasek
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steger
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Faught
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Underhill
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Colowick
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mackey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa