FAIRY: a randomized controlled patient-blind phase III study to compare the efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject®) to placebo in patients with acute isovolemic anemia after gastrectomy - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Isovolemic anemia (decrease in hemoglobin concentration with normal or even increased blood volume) after gastric cancer surgery may negatively influence short- and long-term outcomes. Therefore correction of isovolemic postoperative anemia is supposed to be beneficial. This prospective randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose administration with the primary end point of successful hemoglobin level increase by 2 g/dl at 12 weeks after randomization.


METHODS
Gastric cancer patients after oncologic resection and postoperative hemoglobin level ≥ 7 g/dl to <10 g/dl at postoperative days 5 to 7 will be eligible for trial inclusion. After randomization, 450 patients (225 per group) are going to be subjected either to administration of ferric carboxymaltose (treatment group) or normal (0.9%) saline (placebo group). Patients will be blinded to the intervention. Patients will undergo evaluation for hemoglobin level, hematology and quality of life assessment 3 and 12 weeks after randomization.


CONCLUSIONS
Correction of isovolemic postoperative anemia in gastric cancer patients after oncologic resection is considered to be beneficial. Administration of ferric carboxymaltose is considered to be superior to placebo for anemia correction without the possible risks of red blood cell transfusion. Further, improved quality of life for patients with quick recovery of hemoglobin levels is expected.


BACKGROUND
NCT01725789 (international: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov) and NCCCTS-12-644 (NCC, Korea).
Daniel
D
Reim
Gastric Cancer Branch, Research Institute & Hospital, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-Ro, Ilsandong-Gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 411-769, Republic of Korea. gskim@ncc.re.kr.
Young-Woo
YW
Kim
Byung Ho
BH
Nam
Mi-Jung
MJ
Kim
Jeong Hwan
JH
Yook
Young Kyu
YK
Park
Sung Hoon
SH
Roh
Wan Sik
WS
Yu
Jae Moon
JM
Bae
D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001810:Blood Volume; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008320:Maltose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011788:Quality of Life; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012107:Research Design; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; C522335:ferric carboxymaltose; D008320:Maltose