title: Spotlight on darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of anemia in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.
abstract: Darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) is an analog of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) produced using recombinant DNA technology. The high number of sialic acid moieties in darbepoetin alfa results in a prolonged half-life and enhanced in vivo biologic activity compared with rHuEPO (as demonstrated in animal studies), and permits a reduction in the frequency of administration. Subcutaneous darbepoetin alfa 2.25 microg/kg once weekly or 500microg once every 3 weeks (with a provision for dosage adjustments) is an effective and well tolerated erythropoietic agent in anemic patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. In randomized, controlled clinical trials, the drug increased hemoglobin levels and reduced the need for blood transfusions in patients with various types of nonmyeloid malignancies, and also ameliorated anemia-related fatigue, thereby improving their health-related quality of life scores. The once-every-3-weeks dosage regimen provides further convenience by offering the possibility of synchronizing its administration with most chemotherapy regimens. Direct comparisons between approved dosages of darbepoetin alfa and other erythropoietic agents have not been conducted. Such comparisons would be very helpful in formulating definitive conclusions about their relative efficacy and cost effectiveness. Darbepoetin alfa provides an effective and well tolerated treatment option for the treatment of anemia in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Wolters Kluwer Health, Adis, 41 Centorian Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 1311, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
authors.forename: M Asif A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Gillian M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Keating