Hematopoietic management in oncology practice. Part 2. Erythropoietic factors.
As the major regulator of erythropoiesis in man, erythropoietin inhibits the programmed cell death of committed erythroid precursors. In cancer patients, a relative erythropoietin deficiency is coupled with a decreased responsiveness to the substance mediated by the effects of inflammatory cytokines on the marrow and on ferrokinetics, leading to a high incidence of anemia. Two recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) preparations--epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit) and epoetin beta (Marogen)--as well as a modified erythropoietic compound (darbepoetin alfa [Aranesp]) are in clinical use. Part 2 of this two-part series on hematopoietic agents reviews the use of these erythropoietic factors and their effect on the anemia that develops in cancer patients. Thrombopoietic factors and progenitor cell-mobilizing factors are also briefly addressed.
Glaspy
John A
JA
Division of Hematology-Oncology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA. jglaspy@mednet.ucla.edu
D000741:Anemia, Aplastic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin