Quality-of-life and health benefits of early treatment of mild anemia: A randomized trial of epoetin alfa in patients receiving chemothepy for hematologic malignancies Journal Article


Authors: Straus, D. J.; Testa, M. A.; Sarokhan, B. J.; Czuczman, M. S.; Tulpule, A.; Turner, R. R.; Riggs, S. A.
Article Title: Quality-of-life and health benefits of early treatment of mild anemia: A randomized trial of epoetin alfa in patients receiving chemothepy for hematologic malignancies
Abstract: BACKGROUND. Chemotherapy-related anemia is prevalent among patients with hematologic malignancies. A randomized, open-label, multicenter trial of early versus late epoetin alfa in this population was conducted, focusing on quality of life (QOL). METHODS. Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or multiple myeloma and baseline hemoglobin of 10 to 12 g/dL who were scheduled for ≥4 months of myelosuppressive chemotherapy were randomized to receive ≤16 weeks of epoetin alfa at a dose of 40,000 U once weekly immediately (early) or to wait and only receive epoetin alfa if hemoglobin decreased to <9 g/ dL (late). Those patients with a hemoglobin level >12 g/dL after 3 chemotherapy cycles were not randomized. The primary endpoint was a mean change in the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia (FACT-An) total. RESULTS. In all, 269 patients with a hemoglobin level ≤12 g/dL were randomized. The mean total FACT-An increased 3.84 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.21-7.46) in early patients and decreased 4.37 (95% CI, -7.99 to -0.74) in late patients (P = .003). Early patients had significantly (P < .05) higher mean scores for total FACT-General; FACT-General physical and functional well-being subscales, total anemia scale, and fatigue subscale; and daily activity, energy, and important activity Linear Analog Scale Assessment scales, as well as reduced bedrest days and restricted activity days. The mean hemoglobin increased 1.2 g/dL (95% CI, 0.98-1.46) in early patients but decreased 0.2 g/dL (95% CI, -0.32-0.12) in late patients (P < .0001). Adverse events were similar between groups (with fatigue being the most prevalent); clinically relevant thromboembolic events were more common in early patients. CONCLUSIONS. Treating mild anemia immediately with epoetin alfa during chemotherapy for hematologic malignancy significantly improved QOL, productivity, and hemoglobin compared with delaying treatment until the hemoglobin level decreases to <9.0 g/dL. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Keywords: adult; cancer chemotherapy; controlled study; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; major clinical study; clinical trial; constipation; fatigue; neutropenia; diarrhea; antineoplastic agents; antineoplastic agent; anorexia; quality of life; controlled clinical trial; multiple myeloma; pain; anemia; nausea; randomized controlled trial; thrombocytopenia; vomiting; hemoglobin; deep vein thrombosis; hodgkin disease; abdominal pain; backache; coughing; dizziness; dyspnea; fever; lung embolism; health care utilization; hypokalemia; insomnia; hematologic malignancy; nonhodgkin lymphoma; hematologic neoplasms; cerebrovascular disease; heart infarction; multicenter study; thromboembolism; thrombosis; hematologic malignancies; rating scale; open study; headache; dyspepsia; erythrocyte transfusion; chronic lymphatic leukemia; alopecia; recombinant erythropoietin; hemoglobins; granulocytopenia; heart arrest; productivity; early intervention; rhinitis; pharyngitis; epoetin alfa; bed rest; work capacity evaluation
Journal Title: Cancer
Volume: 107
Issue: 8
ISSN: 0008-543X
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2006-10-15
Start Page: 1909
End Page: 1917
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.22221
PUBMED: 16977654
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 31" - "Export Date: 4 June 2012" - "CODEN: CANCA" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. David J Straus
    356 Straus