title: Early intervention with epoetin beta prevents severe anaemia in patients with solid tumours receiving platinum-based chemotherapy: results of the NeoPrevent study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anaemia is common during platinum-based chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of epoetin beta in the prevention of severe anaemia in patients with solid tumours receiving concomitant platinum therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this open-label, single-arm study, patients (n = 255) with solid tumours and haemoglobin (Hb) levels </= 13 g/dl (men) or </= 12 g/dl (women) received epoetin beta 450 IU/kg ( approximately 30,000 IU) weekly until 4 weeks after their last platinum-based chemotherapy cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An anaemia prevention response [defined as patients with a Hb response (increase in Hb level > 1 g/dl from baseline) plus patients whose Hb levels remained +/- 1 g/dl of baseline throughout the study] was observed in 234 patients (92%). Response to epoetin beta was rapid. Of the 159 patients achieving a Hb response, 139 (87%) had Hb levels > 1 g/dl of baseline within 4 weeks of treatment initiation. Mean Hb levels had improved from 10.8 +/- 1.0 g/dl at baseline to 12.2 +/- 1.8 g/dl by the final visit. Quality of life measured by linear analogue scale assessment significantly (P < 0.01) improved in patients achieving a Hb response (n = 159).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Epoetin beta effectively prevents anaemia in most patients with solid tumours receiving concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Oncología Médica, Hospital Universitario La Paz (Madrid), Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Castro
authors.forename: Amalio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ordóñez
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Isla
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arrivi
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Manzano
authors.forename: Manuel González
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Barón
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron