title: Erythropoetin beta twice weekly versus standard therapy in patients with gynaecological malignancies--a randomised Austrian AGO trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The influence of two regimens of erythropoetin beta on haemoglobin level, quality of life (QoL) and side-effects in patients with gynaecological malignancies was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 119 patients during chemotherapy were randomised to either standard therapy with 10,000 IU erythropoetin beta three times a week (group A) or 20,000 IU twice a week (group B). Haemoglobin level and QoL were measured. Characteristics of the study population were analysed with descriptive statistical methods. Analysis of variance for repeated measurements was performed with haemoglobin level as dependent variable, and time and study arms as factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rise in haemoglobin levels and QoL improvement were significant, without any difference between study arms. Adverse events were similar, except significantly more thromboembolic events in group B (0 vs. 8 events; p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show similar improvements in haemoglobin level and QoL, but raise the question whether less frequent dosing regimes may result in increased rates of thromboembolic events.
authors.affiliation: Department Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. birgit.volgger@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Volgger
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petru
authors.forename: Lukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Angleitner-Boubenizek
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weigert
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reinthaller
authors.forename: Harald
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lass
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stempfl
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gamper
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deibl
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000097:blood*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin