title: Darbepoetin-alpha for the anaemia of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.
abstract: Darbepoetin-alpha, a novel hyperglycosylated erythropoiesis-stimulating protein, was administered to 20 patients with myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia and anaemia. The initial weekly dose, 150 mug, was increased to 300 mug when no response was observed after 4-8 weeks. Eight patients (40%) responded to treatment, including six complete and two partial responses, and five maintained their response at a median follow-up of 12 months (range 4-22). Univariate analysis indicated that older age was the only factor associated with a favourable response to treatment (P = 0.006). None of the patients with appropriate serum erythropoietin levels responded. Treatment was usually well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. fcervan@clinic.ub.es
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cervantes
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Larrán
authors.forename: Juan-Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hernández-Boluda
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sureda
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Granell
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vallansot
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Besses
authors.forename: Emili
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montserrat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa