title: Predictors of response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in cancer patients: the role of baseline serum epoetin level.
abstract: Anemia is the most frequent hematologic abnormality among cancer patients. Its pathophysiology comprises reduction in erythrocyte half-life, poor iron reutilization by the bone marrow, and inadequate response to erythropoietin (EPO), with reduced endogenous EPO (eEPO) levels. Current treatment implies the use of erythropoiesis- stimulating agents (ESA), to which 35-48% of patients show primary resistance. The search for predictors of response to ESA treatment has been inconclusive. Iron or vitamin deficiency, the recent need for transfusion, or a lack of hemoglobin increase within the first 2-4 weeks usually predict resistance to ESA. High serum eEPO levels at treatment initiation (>100-150 mU/ml) may also predict resistance, especially in hematologic malignancies, but the results in solid tumors are not consistent. Although patients with cancer-related anemia show higher eEPO levels than patients without anemia, there is extreme variability among individuals. Future studies are needed to clarify eEPO usefulness in predicting response to ESA treatment.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology Service, Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain. oncsoj@humv.es
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanz Ortiz
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa