Clinical impact of recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia of gynecologic malignancies / 대한산부인과학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of erythropoietin (Epokaine prefil(R)) on transfusion requirements, serum hemoglobin levels in patients with gynecologic malignancies under polychemotherapy and chemotherapy associated anemia. METHODS: From January 2001 to March 2003, 70 patients treated with chemotherapy due to gynecologic cancer from Severance hospital were included into this study. Patients were assigned to one of two groups (case group (n=28) and control group (n=42)). Patients in case group received 2000 U or 6000 U Epokaine(R) subcutaneously two or three times a week for more than 3 cycles (9 weeks), and patients in control group didn't received Epokaine(R) (n=42). If the hemoglobin levels of 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle >1 g/dL above the baseline value and/or >12 g/dL, patients were classified as responders. Patients who required blood transfusions or if the hemoglobin levels of 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle <1 g/dL were as non-responders. RESULTS: 28 cases of 70 patients were assessable for response and complication to Epokaine(R) application. In the Epokaine(R) group, 53%, 64%, 71% of the patients responded to the treatment (at 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle, respectively) and only 7 patients (21.4%) required blood transfusions, whereas 28 patients in control group (66.7%) needed transfusion. Mean transfused units were 1.56 in case group and 3.55 in the control group (P=0.03). In case group, mean hemoglobin levels were significantly increased after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle of chemotherapy (0.73 g/dL, 1.34 g/dL, 1.65 g/dL, respectively) compared with the mean baseline value. CONCLUSION: We concluded that Epokaine(R) significantly decreases transfusions requirements and increases serum hemoglobin levels in patients with gynecological malignancies who are undergoing polychemotherapy. Therefore, Epokaine(R) would be effective in the treatment of anemia of gynecologic cancer patients receiving polychemotherapy.