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Erschienen in:
01.04.2004 | Original Article
Darbepoetin alfa in lung cancer patients on chemotherapy: a retrospective comparison of outcomes in patients with mild versus moderate-to-severe anaemia at baseline
Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Ausgabe 4/2004
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Goals
Currently, there is some debate concerning the haemoglobin level at which treatment of anaemia with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents should be initiated in cancer patients on chemotherapy. We report several analyses of data from a phase III trial of darbepoetin alfa versus placebo, comparing outcomes for patients with mild and moderate-to-severe anaemia.
Patients and methods
Data were obtained from a phase III trial of darbepoetin alfa versus placebo in anaemic patients with lung cancer receiving chemotherapy (n=314). Outcomes were compared for patients with baseline haemoglobin ≥10–11 g/dl and <10 g/dl.
Results
Darbepoetin alfa significantly reduced transfusions compared with placebo, irrespective of haemoglobin level at treatment initiation. For patients with baseline haemoglobin <10 g/dl, 31% and 59% of those receiving darbepoetin alfa and placebo, respectively, required a transfusion from week 5 to the end of the treatment phase (P<0.038). For patients with baseline haemoglobin ≥10 g/dl, the proportions were 15% and 41%, respectively (P<0.001). Darbepoetin alfa also improved fatigue compared with placebo in both haemoglobin categories.
Conclusions
These findings show that initiating treatment at haemoglobin levels both <10 g/dl and ≥10–11 g/dl results in substantial clinical benefits, supporting the use of erythropoietic therapy also in patients with mild anaemia.