Clinical breast cancer
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Clinical breast cancer · Jun 2005
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialWeekly epoetin alfa during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: effect on hemoglobin levels and quality of life.
Anemia, fatigue, and diminished quality of life (QOL) often are associated with chemotherapy. In a previous study of patients with early-stage breast cancer and a mean baseline hemoglobin (Hb) level of 12.1 g/dL, Hb decreased by 2.0 g/dL after 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The current open-label, nonrandomized, multicenter, prospective, community-based study evaluated the effects of 12-24 weeks of epoetin alfa (40,000 U subcutaneously once weekly initiated at the start of standard adjuvant chemotherapy) in patients with stage I-III breast cancer and baseline Hb levels > or =10 g/dL to < or =14 g/dL on Hb level, transfusions, and QOL. ⋯ Controlled studies are warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of epoetin alfa therapy in patients with mild anemia receiving chemotherapy.