title: Nandrolone decanoate for the treatment of erythropoietin refractory anemia: a case series.
abstract: Erythropoietin refractory anemias represent a continuing and increasing burden on the healthcare system. The current practice of providing these patients with rHuEPO does not seem to be working. Fewer than 50% of patients respond in some studies. We demonstrate that androgens have multiple benefits in this population. They control anemia and stop transfusion dependence and improve nutritional parameters. In some patients, they also have a salutary effect on both white blood cell and platelet counts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9162, USA. bchawla@hsc.wvu.edu
authors.forename: Bobby
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.forename: Fahad M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Manjeet S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Chawla
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009277:Nandrolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D009277:Nandrolone; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate