title: Once-weekly epoetin beta therapy in patients with solid tumours and chemotherapy-induced anaemia: a randomized, double-blind, dose-finding study.
abstract: Anaemia is common in patients receiving chemotherapy, causing symptoms that have a major impact on quality of life (QoL). Epoetin beta rapidly increases haemoglobin (Hb) levels and improves QoL in anaemic patients with a variety of tumours. This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, dose-finding study assessing the efficacy and safety of once-weekly epoetin beta in patients with solid tumours receiving chemotherapy. Adult patients with anaemia (Hb < 11 g/dL) were randomized to receive epoetin beta 30,000 IU or 20,000 IU once weekly for 12 weeks. All patients received oral iron supplementation. Haemoglobin levels, transfusion need and QoL [Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-fatigue (FACT-F) subscale score] were assessed at regular intervals. Fifty patients were randomized; 30 patients received epoetin beta 30,000 IU once weekly and 20 received 20,000 IU once weekly. Mean (+/- SD) increase in Hb from baseline to week 12 was 1.75 +/- 2.15 g/dL in the 30,000 IU group (P = 0.008 vs. baseline) and 1.04 +/- 1.75 g/dL in the 20,000 IU group (non-significant). Haemoglobin response (increase in Hb >or=2 g/dL from baseline) was observed in 78.3% of patients receiving epoetin beta 30,000 IU and 66.7% receiving epoetin beta 20,000 IU. Improvements in FACT-F subscale score were significantly (P < 0.001) correlated with increases in Hb level. Transfusion use was low during the study in both groups. Both epoetin beta regiments were well tolerated and there were no dose-dependent adverse events. Epoetin beta 30,000 IU once weekly is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of anaemia in patients with solid tumours.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Kos, Kos, Greece. panheras@yahoo.com
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Heras
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Kritikos
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hatzopoulos
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Mitsibounas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin