Erythropoietin in cancer patients: pros and cons.
OBJECTIVE
Anaemia is a frequent complication of cancer. Recently, some concerns have appeared regarding the safety of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for the treatment of anaemia in cancer patients. The current review will analyse the main arguments in favour of erythropoietin (EPO), as well as those against EPO in chemotherapy-induced anaemia and in cancer-related anaemia. The principal concerns are tumour progression, increased mortality and the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs). Recent meta-analyses have come to divergent conclusions.


RESULTS
Several meta-analyses have reviewed the data regarding VTEs, EPO receptors on tumours and tumour progression as well as mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
As of now, ESAs should only be used within the indications as given in the various guidelines.
Dicato
Mario
M
Haematology - Oncology Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg. mdicato@gmail.com
Plawny
Laurent
L
D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012010:Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / Q000139:chemically induced; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced
D006397:Hematinics; D004921:Erythropoietin