Erythrotropin for Treating Anemia in Multiple Myeloma: Response to Treatment and Survival

Background Anemia is a common complication of multiple myeloma (MM). Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) and blood transfusions are two general treatments for anemia. Methods In a retrospective study, we compared the efficacy and treatment response of rhEPO to those of blood transfusions on anemia and sought to determine its prognostic value in for these patients. The 94 patients who received rhEPO were divided into high-dose (≥160,000 U/month) and low-dose (< 160,000 U/month) groups; 97 other patients received blood transfusions. Results Patients receiving rhEPO had significantly higher hemoglobin concentrations after 3 (112.65 v. 86.10 dg/L) and 6 (128.96 v. 91.41 dg/L) months of treatment (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). Furthermore, the high-dose rhEPO group had higher mean hemoglobin concentrations than those of the low-dose group after 3 (41 v. 34 g/L) and 6 (57 v. 49 g/L) months of treatment, respectively. The risks of death and relapse were significantly lower in patients receiving either dose of rhEPO that in the transfusion group. Receiving rhEPO was associated with better overall and progression-free survival (68 v. 52 months, 39 v. 27 months). Conclusions We believe rhEPO should be preferred to blood transfusions for treating the anemia associated with MM.