The role of the pharmacist in optimizing the use of erythropoietin stimulating agents.
OBJECTIVE
With the emerging new warnings surrounding the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), the pharmacist's role as health educator and risk communicator expands further to include patient scrutiny to check for eligibility and patient monitoring to check for response or toxicity. This review explores the benefits and risks linked to ESAs use, and the proposed role.


CONCLUSIONS
ESAs have been increasingly used for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia because of its documented effect on decreasing transfusion dependency. However, their use has been associated with thromboembolic complications, tumor progression, and decreased overall survival. This review covers current recommendations and guidelines that surround ESAs use in the supportive care of cancer patients.


CONCLUSIONS
To minimize or prevent the complications associated with ESAs use, cancer patients should be adequately monitored and counseled. This highlights the importance of the pharmacist's involvement to optimize patient care.
Gebara
Shereen Nabhani
SN
School of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE, UK. s.nabhani@kingston.ac.uk
Moubayed
Hiba
H
D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000075202:Contraindications; D018450:Disease Progression; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D024382:Professional Role; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control
D006397:Hematinics; D004921:Erythropoietin