Oncology Medical News about chmotherapy-induced anemia;Darbepoetin Alfa

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Pooled analysis of individual patient-level data from all randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of darbepoetin alfa in the treatment of patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 06/10/09

Ludwig H et al. - In a study to assess benefits and risks of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA), there seemed to be no association between darbepoetin alfa (DA) and risk of death or disease progression in this meta-analysis of individual pt data from DA studies conducted in CIA, the approved indication for ESAs in oncology.

Methods

To assess the benefits and risks of ESAs in CIA, a pooled analysis was done of individual pt-level data from all randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in 2122 pts with CIA receiving DA (n=1200) or placebo (n=912).

Results

DA did not increase mortality and had no effect on progression-free survival (PFS) and disease progression, but increased the risk for thromboembolic events.
Overall survival and PFS were not affected by baseline hemoglobin and seemed better in pts who achieved hemoglobin >12 or >13 g/dL.
Transfusions and rates of hemoglobin increase (>1 g/dL in 14 days; >2 g/dL in 28 days) owing to transfusions were associated with an increased risk for death and disease progression in both treatment groups; in the absence of transfusions, rates of hemoglobin increase did not appear to increase risk for adverse outcomes.
Compared with placebo, DA significantly reduced the risk of receiving 1 or more transfusions.

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