Nandrolone decanoate for the treatment of erythropoietin refractory anemia: a case series.
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.
Chawla
Bobby
B
Department of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-9162, USA. bchawla@hsc.wvu.edu
Iqbal
Fahad M
FM
Chawla
Manjeet S
MS
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
D000728:Androgens; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D009277:Nandrolone; D000077603:Nandrolone Decanoate