Recombinant Human Erythropoietin Treatment in Elderly Cancer Patients with Cisplatin–Associated Anemia
- 1 January 1995
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by S. Karger AG in Oncology
- Vol. 52 (5) , 422-426
- https://doi.org/10.1159/000227501
Abstract
The efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on the increase in hemoglobin levels was assessed in patients with cisplatin (CDDP)-induced anemia older than 70 years. Furthermore, we compared the results obtained in this group of patients with those observed in other patients receiving rHuEPO for a CDDP-associated anemia with similar clinical features (chemothera-peutic regimen, primary tumor; CDDP cumulative dose) but of an age less than 70 years. Twenty patients older than 70 years with a CDDP-associated anemia (hemoglobin levels < 90 g/l) received rHuEPO at the dose of 100 U/kg subcutaneously, three times a week. The control group consisted of 20 younger patients, anemic after CDDP chemotherapy, treated with rHuEPO. All patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. Hemoglobin concentrations showed a statistically significant increase after the 3rd, 6th and 9th week of therapy in both older (93.1 ± 10.7,103.5 ± 8.2 and 102.7 ± 8.2, respectively, vs. baseline, 84.6 ± 4.9) and younger patients (95.3 ± 11.7,101.5 ± 13.4and 101.9 ± 8.7, respectively, vs. baseline, 86.6 ± 4.0). Furthermore, 30% of older patients required blood transfusions versus 35% of younger patients, with the mean unit of blood transfused per patient being 0.7 U in elderly and 0.65 U in younger patients. Treatment was well tolerated with no significant side effects. The CDDP-induced anemia seems to be corrected by rHuEPO also in elderly patients, without differences with respect to younger patients.Keywords
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