[Efficacy of weekly epoetin Beta in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in solid tumors].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of epoetin beta once-weekly in anemic patients with solid tumors treated with chemotherapy.


METHODS
Prospective, open-label, multicenter, single-arm study of epoetin beta 30 000 I.U. once-weekly in anemic patients with solid tumors receiving chemotherapy (n = 365).


RESULTS
Epoetin beta increased mean haemoglobin (Hb) levels from 10.3 +/- 0.9 g/dL at baseline to 12.3+/-2.0 g/dL at week 12. The response rate was achieved in 61% (CI 95%: 55-68) of the patients. The mean Hb level increased was 1.8 g/dL (CI 95%: 1.5-2,0); in lung cancer patients (n = 102) Hb increase was 2.7 g/dL. Treatment with epoetin beta was well tolerated; only 1.4 % patients had thrombotic events.


CONCLUSIONS
Epoetin beta (30 000 I.U. once weekly) increased Hb levels and was well-tolerated to correct anemia in patients with solid tumors treated with chemotherapy.
Oudard
Stéphane
S
Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France.
Quoix
Elisabeth
E
Jenabian
Arash
A
Bergougnoux
Loïc
L
Chouahnia
Kader
K
Ferrero
Jean-Marc
JM
Misset
Jean-Louis
JL
Spaëth
Dominique
D
D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin