Efficacy of epoetin-alpha administration on improvement of hemoglobin (Hb) values in anemic patients with non-myeloid cancer

Background: Anemia in cancer patients is a common finding; it is caused by decrease in production or response to erythropoietin as a result of primary disease or complications of treatment. Traditionally, blood transfusion has been the treatment of choice in cancer related anemia; however, potential short- and long-term complications have limited its use. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of epoetin-alpha (a form of recombinant human erythropoietin) administration three times weekly on improvement of hemoglobin (Hb) values in patients with non-myeloid cancer suffering from anemia. Methods: In this open labeled, non randomized trial, a total of 60 patients were recruited. For all patients the baseline Hb values were measured. The study started with subcutaneous injection of epoetin-alpha (Eprex) 10,000 U three times weekly and treatment was continued for 12 weeks. Results: Hb level rose at the end of the second week in nearly all patients but the difference was not statistically significant compared to baseline Hb (p =0.37). At the end of the first months, Hb values were significant compared with baseline and the second week (p<0.001 and p= 0.002, respectively). Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in Hb levels in the third month compared to baseline (p <0.001), second week (p = 0.002) and first month (p < 0.001). Conclusion: epoetin-alpha improves Hb levels in cancer patients with anemia.