Epoetin beta once weekly: review of its efficacy and safety in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia.
Epoetin beta effectively increases hemoglobin levels, reduces the need for transfusions and improves the quality of life in patients with symptomatic chemotherapy-induced anemia with a range of solid tumors and lymphoid malignancies. Recent evidence-based guidelines recommend the once weekly administration of epoetin beta. This once-weekly regimen is generally well tolerated, and studies to date have reported that epoetin beta has a neutral effect on survival of patients with cancer. The once-weekly administration regimen is convenient for the physician and patient alike. Methods to further optimize this treatment are discussed.
Oncologie Médicale, Centre d'Oncologie de Gentilly, 2 rue Marie Marvingt, 54100 Nancy, France. oncomed@wanadoo.fr
Dominique
D
Spaëth
D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin