title: Optimized pro-active management of anemia by Epoetin alpha in pre-operative chemotherapy for primary breast cancer.
abstract: This prospective study quantifies the response of hemoglobin and other blood factors to Epoetin alpha (EPO) administration in the course of pre-operative chemotherapy in breast cancer. Blood count time series were analyzed in 38 primary breast cancer patients with/without EPO during the course of pre-operative chemotherapy with epirubicin and paclitaxel. EPO injections improved blood counts in 'anemic' patients (< or =12.0 g/dl) receiving chemotherapy, but had little effect when administered to patients with higher hemoglobin concentrations. On the average, without chemotherapy, hemoglobin concentrations drifted toward about 11.1 g/dl without EPO but could be maintained at near 12.0 g/dl with EPO. In conclusion, there is potential for improved anemia management using EPO during pre-operative chemotherapy, which not only benefits quality of life but could also influence long-term survival in breast cancer through improved tumor oxygenation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Senology, University of Kologne, Germany. mathias.warm@uk-koeln.de
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warm
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kates
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dick
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mallmann
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoopmann
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harbeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D015251:Epirubicin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D017239:Paclitaxel