Ratio of baseline erythropoietin (EPO) level and corrected reticulocyte count as an indicator for a favourable response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapy in anaemic cancer patients

Abstract

Our study suggested that the baseline ratio of EPO/ret.count should be used as an indicator for a favourable response to rhEPO therapy.

Elevated erythropoietin and cytokines levels are related to impaired reticulocyte maturation in thalassemic patients

“…It can represent the responder and non-responder of the erythropoietic activity of the bone marrow; high level of EPO/% retic ratio means non-responder patients while low level of EPO/% retic ratio means responders [37]. From Table 4 and Fig.…”

Erythropoietin Use in Pediatric Oncology

“…A more recent study claims that the ratio of baseline serum EPO and corrected reticulocyte count accurately predicts EPO response in 78% of cases. 38 Other patient characteristics, such as diagnosis, type and duration of cancer treatment, bone marrow involvement, or solid tumor vs hematologic malignancy, were not useful indicators of predictable response to EPO.…”

Predictors of response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) in cancer patients: the role of baseline serum epoetin level

“…Ludwig et al [50], in a mixed sample of solid (43) and nonsolid (37) tumor patients, observed a significant inverse correlation (r = -0.265) between baseline eEPO level and response to rHuEPO, with an optimal cutoff point of 100 mU/ml for predicting response. Charuruks et al [2] found that a low eEPO level and a high corrected reticulocyte count might be predictors of favorable response to ESA.…”

“…Four weeks must elapse before response to ESA can be detected. It takes 2 weeks for erythroid burst-forming units (BFU-E) to form and another 2 weeks for the erythroblasts to turn into erythrocytes [2].…”

“…It is very similar to the anemia of chronic diseases. It comprises at least three pathologic processes: reduction in erythrocyte half-life, poor iron reutilization by the bone marrow, and inadequate response to erythropoietin (EPO) [2]. This anemia is normochromic and normocytic and features low reticulocyte count, erythroid medullary hyperplasia, low serum iron, low or normal total iron-binding capacity (circulating transferrin), and high or normal ferritin (iron deposits).…”