title: Darbepoetin alfa administered every three weeks (Q3W) in anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (CT).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Darbepoetin alfa, has a longer halflife than epoetin alfa (rHuEPO) due to its increased sialylated carbohydrate content and can be administered less frequently. Its advantage in terms of response is not entirely clear.
  
  
  METHODS
  From August 2005 until October 2006, 64 anemic patients (hemoglobin < or =11.5 g/dl) with advanced metastatic cancer receiving chemotherapy (CT), median age 65 years (range 33-77), median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 1 (range 0-1), were treated with subcutaneous (s.c.) darbepoetin alfa 500 microg every 3 weeks (Q3W) and a single intravenous (i.v.) dose of 125 mg of elemental iron at the beginning of the treatment period followed by an oral daily iron supplement (200 mg of elementary iron). The treatment effect was evaluated as a response (Hb increase > or =1 g/dl) or a major response (Hb increase > or =2 g/dl) after 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. The patients were questioned about fatigue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 8 weeks of treatment, a treatment response was observed in 11 out of the 29 evaluable patients (38%) with a major response in 10%. The mean Hb change was 0 g/dl, +0.9 g/dl, +0.75 g/dl and +0.7 g/dl respectively at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Blood transfusions were required in 9 patients (31%). At baseline, 39 out of the 64 patients (61%) reported grade 1 or 2 fatigue. At 8 weeks the patients with a major response did not show any evidence of fatigue.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Darbepoetin alfa Q3W is moderately effective in reducing anemia in heavily pretreated and advanced stage chemotherapy treated patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, San Giovanni Hospital, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garassino
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sacchetta
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caristo
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zivi
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cerbone
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mancuso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068256:Darbepoetin alfa