Darbepoetin-alpha for the anaemia of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia.
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.
Cervantes
Francisco
F
Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. fcervan@clinic.ub.es
Alvarez-Larrán
Alberto
A
Hernández-Boluda
Juan-Carlos
JC
Sureda
Anna
A
Granell
Miquel
M
Vallansot
Rolando
R
Besses
Carles
C
Montserrat
Emili
E
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
D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa