[Anemia and chemotherapy of malignant hemopathies]

Bull Cancer. 2003 Apr:90 Spec No:S144-51.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Anemia is a frequent symptom encountered in hematological malignancies at diagnosis or in the course of the disease. Allogeneic transfusions were, until recently, the only treatment available and used only for severe anemia. Erythropoietin is currently an important alternative especially for treatment and even to prevent severe anemia. It has been assessed for the treatment of chemotherapy related anemia in NHL, myeloma and CLL with a significant reduction of blood transfusions and prevention of grade 3-4 anemia in 51% of patients. In myelodysplasia, the more effective regimen is the association of G-CSF and Epo. In the setting of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, it reduces the time to red cell engraftment and probably the number of blood cell unit per patient in contrast with autologous stem cell transplant. All these studies assessed the efficacy of Epo in hematological malignancies but needs further trials including the assessment of the quality of life and economical parameters.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anemia* / classification
  • Anemia* / etiology
  • Anemia* / therapy
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use*
  • Hematologic Diseases / complications
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors / therapeutic use
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / complications
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Hematopoietic Cell Growth Factors
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Erythropoietin