title: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in allogeneic and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are used in treating cancer- and chemotherapy-induced anemia with the aim of accelerating the recovery of red blood cells (RBCs), reduce the risks associated with RBC transfusions and improve quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review has been conducted to examine the current evidence for the efficacy and safety of using ESAs in hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the international recommendations for the use of ESAs in treating different malignancies, there is a lack of guidelines for their use in patients undergoing HSCT. An evaluation of published clinical trials shows that there are no available powerful studies concerning the use of ESAs in this setting, with only heterogeneous and small numbers of patients reported so far. Nevertheless, the more robust and intriguing of these data suggest that the ESA's administration at an appropriate time after the infusion of stem cells may be effective both in autologous and allogeneic HSCTs. New guidelines are required, overseen by an expert in the in the field of stem cell transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Azienda Ospedaliera BMM, Hematology and Stem Cell Transplant Unit , Via Melacrino n.1, 89100 Reggio Calabria , Italy +39 0965393804 ; dr.massimomartino@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lanza
authors.forename: Taner
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demirer
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Moscato
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Secondino
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pedrazzoli
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000009:adverse effects; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics
keywords: allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant; autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant; erythropoiesis-stimulating agents; erythropoietin