A SINGLE INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE: Is Epoetin Alpha Effective in Anemic Children with Cancer?

Yılmaz, Deniz; Çetingül, Nazan; Kantar, Mehmet; Öniz, Haldun; Kansoy, Savaş; Kavaklı, Kaan

doi:10.1080/08880010490263281

Cited by 13 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…The treatment duration varies between 8 and 28 weeks. Despite the differences in dosage, treatment intervals, and duration for previous studies, a significant increase in Hb levels, a decrease in transfusion rates, and an improvement of QoL have been reported in all studies [9][10][11][12][13][14]. The effect of EPO has been found to be low, and transfusion rates are high in patients receiving platinumbased regimens; these results have been attributed to direct cytotoxic effects on renal cells and a decrease in EPO production.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin β: The Effect of Weekly Dosing on Anemia, Quality of Life, and Long-Term Outcomes in Pediatric Cancer Patients

Durmaz

Demirkaya

Sevinir

2011

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

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Anemia, which is a common problem in cancer patients, has a negative effect on survival by decreasing the efficacy of chemotherapy and particularly of radiotherapy, as well as impairing the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) decreases a patient's need for transfusions and increases their QoL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weekly single-dose EPO treatment on transfusion rates, QoL, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. In addition, patients were followed up for a long period to assess the impact of EPO treatment on survival. The study was conducted from December 2001 to December 2002 in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma or solid tumors using a prospective and controlled design. EPO-β was given as a single dose of 450 U/kg once a week for 12 weeks. The study and control groups included 16 patients each. Hb levels measured in the study group at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks were significantly higher than the values recorded before the start of chemotherapy. In the control group, Hb levels post chemotherapy were significantly lower than values recorded prior to treatment. The increased Hb levels in the study group were significant at the 8th and 12th weeks of treatment compared to levels measured prior to treatment. In the control group, Hb levels at the 4th and 8th weeks were significantly lower than pretreatment levels. When the percent increase of Hb levels of the study and control groups with respect to treatment week was compared, the difference was statistically significant at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. Although the increase on the performance scale within each group during treatment was significant in both the study and control groups, the increase was more marked in the study group. The percent increase on the performance scale with respect to week of treatment was higher in the study group than in the control group. In EPO treatment group, side effects were seen in 38% of patients, with 19% being local pain in the injection area, 13% local hyperemia, and 6% headache. The mean follow-up period of the study and control group was 7.03 ± 0.41 (6.0-7.41) and 7.46 ± 0.45 (6.58-7.83) years, respectively; no statistically significant difference existed between these figures. Overall survival at the end of 7 years of follow-up was 68.8% and 81.3% for the study and control groups, respectively. The use of EPO-β in lymphoma and solid tumor patients on a once-weekly regimen (450 U/kg) was determined to be effective in increasing Hb levels, decreasing transfusion rates, and improving QoL. This regimen was safe, did not cause serious side effects, and can be recommended because of its high patient compliance and tolerability. An effect of EPO on prognosis was not evident. We could not have an explanation on the effect of EPO treatment on prognosis, as there were low number of patients and advanced-staged patients died earlier. Therefore, a larger number of patients are needed to clarify the effect of EPO treatment on prognosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Recombinant Human Erythropoietin β: The Effect of Weekly Dosing on Anemia, Quality of Life, and Long-Term Outcomes in Pediatric Cancer Patients

Durmaz

Demirkaya

Sevinir

2011

Pediatric Hematology and Oncology

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“…Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) was fi rst approved in 1989 for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease and subsequently approved for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with nonmyeloid malignancies. Very limited data exist for pediatric oncology patients and has most recently been summarized by Shankar ( 2008 ) Csáki et al 1998 ;Büyükpamukçu et al 2002 ;Wagner et al 2004 ;Yilmaz et al 2004 ;Razzouk et al 2006 ;Abdelrazik and Fouda 2007 ;Çorapcioglu et al 2008 ;Durmaz et al 2011 ). Darbepoetin has undergone a phase I trial in pediatric patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia but is not approved in this population ).…”

Section: Erythropoietinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology

Feusner¹,

Hastings²,

Agrawal³

2015

Pediatric Oncology

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Each volume of the series "Pediatric Oncology" covers the whole spectrum of the disease concerned, from research issues to clinical management, and is edited by internationally highly respected experts in a comprehensive and clearly structured way. The user-friendly layout allows quick reference to in-depth information. The series is designed for all health-care personnel interested in high-level education in pediatric oncology.

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