Efficacy of Ferric Carboxymaltose in Anaemia of Malignancy - A Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT

Anaemia is an important problem in malignancy. It may be due to chronic causes like malnutrition, marrow infiltration, associated renal or endocrine disorders and it may be complicated with blood loss. Measures like blood transfusion, erythropoietin injections often pose a logistical problem. Parenteral iron injections have proved to be useful in fighting anaemia in some chronic conditions e.g. patients on hemodialysis. Aims and Objectives: Primarily to see the observable change in hemoglobin (Hb) level with ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in treating patients of malignancy on anti-cancer treatment. Materials and Methods: Twenty seven patients were enrolled for this study who were suffering from various malignancies. The baseline Hb level was estimated and FCM injection was administered as per the schedule of 500 mg intravenously (IV) weekly once. The overall results of increase in Hb level was noted during the middle of the treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy) and later 3-4 weeks after treatment completion. The results were analysed using SPSS and the mean values of initial Hb and after treatment were analysed. Level of significance (p value) was noted using t test. Results: In 27 patients the mean initial Hb level was 8.09 g/dl before treatment which increased to 10.28 g/dl after FCM treatment (p <0.0001). Conclusion: Treatment with FCM definitely led to a significant increase in Hb level in patients of malignancy undergoing treatment. However, further detailed study is needed to establish its definite role in improving the body iron parameters.