Treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in breast cancer: results of a randomized controlled trial of darbepoetin alfa 200 microg every 2 weeks versus epoetin alfa 40,000 U weekly.
BACKGROUND
Current chemotherapy regimens for breast cancer result in high incidences of anemia, which can be treated with erythropoietic agents. The relative efficacy of darbepoetin alfa and epoetin alfa was explored in this phase II, open-label, randomized, multicenter trial in anemic patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.


METHODS
Patients were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive darbepoetin alfa 200 microg every 2 weeks (n = 72) or epoetin alfa 40,000 U weekly (n = 69) for < or = 16 weeks. Clinical and hematologic endpoints and validation of a novel patient satisfaction questionnaire for anemia treatment were evaluated for all patients randomized to receive > or = 1 dose of study drug.


RESULTS
Baseline characteristics were generally similar between treatment groups. Mean changes in hemoglobin (Hb) level from baseline were similar at 1.9 g/dL for darbepoetin alfa and 1.7 g/dL for epoetin alfa. Hematopoietic responses (> or = 2 g/dL increase in Hb level from baseline or Hb level > or = 12 g/dL) were also similar between groups (88% for darbepoetin alfa and 81% for epoetin alfa). The proportions of patients who received a transfusion during treatment were 6% (95% CI, 0-11%) for darbepoetin alfa and 16% (95% CI, 7%-25%) for epoetin alfa. Most patients (67 patients receiving darbepoetin alfa [93%]; 61 patients receiving epoetin alfa [90%]) exhibited a clinically meaningful target Hb level > or = 11 g/dL. No differences in safety were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that, in patients with breast cancer, darbepoetin alfa 200 microg every 2 weeks and epoetin alfa 40,000 U weekly result in comparable clinical outcomes for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia.
Senecal
Frank M
FM
Northwest Medical Specialties, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA. mnelson@nwmedicalspecialties.com
Yee
Lorrin
L
Gabrail
Nashat
N
Charu
Veena
V
Tomita
Dianne
D
Rossi
Greg
G
Schwartzberg
Lee
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa