A single institutional experience: is epoetin alpha effective in anemic children with cancer?
The authors aimed to investigate the efficacy of epoetin-alpha on hemoglobin levels and red cell transfusion requirement in children with both hematologic malignancy (HM, n = 27) and solid tumors (ST, n = 14). Epoetin-alpha was given (150 U/kg or 250 U/kg, thrice weekly) for 12 weeks. Epoetin alpha significantly increased the hemoglobin levels at the 2nd and 3rd months of therapy (p <.05). At the 3rd month, the patients required less red cell transfusion. At the dose of 150 U/kg, only three patients with HM, but none of the ST patients, required red cell. However, none required red cell transfusion after 2nd month on epoetin alpha 250 U/kg. Epoetin-alpha administration increases hemoglobin levels and decreases red cell transfusion requirement in children with malignancy.
Yilmaz
D
D
Division of Pediatric Hematology, Ege University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Izmir, Turkey. dyilmazk@yahoo.com
Cetingül
N
N
Kantar
M
M
Oniz
H
H
Kansoy
S
S
Kavakli
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa