Effectiveness of weekly subcutaneous recombinant human erythropoietin administration for chemotherapy-induced anemia

The effects of weekly subcutaneousrecombinant human erythropoietin (r-hEPO)administration on anemia during chemotherapy includingcisplatin and 5-fluorouracil in patients with head andneck carcinomas were examined. Weekly subcutaneousr-hEPO administration in cancer patients has not beeninvestigated previously. Patients were treated withr-hEPO 100 IU/kg (2 patients), 200 IU/kg (6 patients),or 400 IU/kg (5 patients), or placebo, andeffectiveness was evaluated by monitoring hemoglobinconcentration changes after administration for 8weeks. Hemoglobin concentrations in all 3 r-hEPOdosage groups were higher than that in the controlgroup during chemotherapy. All r-hEPO doses producedimprovements in the anemia induced by chemotherapy;however, the 400 IU/kg dose was most effective. Therequirement for blood transfusions decreased inpatients receiving r-hEPO therapy, and no significantside-effects were associated with r-hEPOadministration. These results suggest thatchemotherapy-induced anemia can be prevented by weeklysubcutaneous r-hEPO administration.