Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in patients with cancer: update on safety issues.
Chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with cancer can effectively be treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. These drugs, which are currently indicated only in patients without curative treatment intent, increase hemoglobin (Hb) levels, reduce the risk for transfusions and improve the quality of life. Treatment should be initiated when the Hb level decreases to about 10 g/dl and the target Hb level should not exceed 12 g/dl. Hypertension and thromboembolic events are the main side effects. The association between erythropoietic proteins and clinical outcome including survival warrants further studies.
Pirker
Robert
R
Medical University of Vienna, Department of Medicine I, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. robert.pirker@meduniwien.ac.at
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000187:drug effects; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000075202:Contraindications; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005062:European Union; D006397:Hematinics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins