Treatment patterns and outcomes in the management of anaemia in cancer patients in Europe: findings from the Anaemia Cancer Treatment (ACT) study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine anaemia management in cancer patients treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in Europe.


METHODS
Retrospective pharmacoepidemiologic study of 2192 patients from 307 centres. Minimum of 3 visits over 8-10 weeks with ESA treatment initiated at visit 1.


RESULTS
Most patients were treated per guidelines, except for low iron supplementation rates. Mean Hb rose from 9.54+/-0.95 g/dl to 10.88+/-1.49 g/dl at visit 3, without concomitant rise in WHO/ECOG score. Response rates were 65.0% (Hb increase (upward arrow) > or = 1 g/dl); 54.3% (Hb increase (upward arrow) > or = 1 g/dl in 8 weeks); 38.9% (haematopoietic response); 33.7% (Hb increase (upward arrow) > or = 2 g/dl) and 18.8% (Hb between 12.0 and 12.9 g/dl)


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment patterns were guideline congruent, except for (intravenous) iron supplementation. Hb increased by 1.34 g/dl. A net erythropoiesis boost of Hb > or =1 g/dl is attainable in two-thirds of patients and should be condensed to 8 weeks on an individual patient basis. Anaemia management in Europe has improved significantly. The general effectiveness and relative safety of judicious ESA treatment are evident.
Ludwig
Heinz
H
Medizinische Abteilung I - Onkologie und Haematologie, Wilhelminenspital, Montleartstrasse 37, Wien 1160, Austria.
Aapro
Matti
M
Bokemeyer
Carsten
C
Macdonald
Karen
K
Soubeyran
Pierre
P
Turner
Matthew
M
Albrecht
Tara
T
Abraham
Ivo
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D007501:Iron