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01-09-2007 | Original Article

Correlation between variation in quality of life and change in hemoglobin level after treatment with epoetin alfa 40,000 IU administered once-weekly

Authors: Giacomo Cartenì, Laura Giannetta, Giovanni Ucci, Giorgio De Signoribus, Aldo Vecchione, Graziella Pinotti, Fabio Puglisi, Antonio Contillo, Giuseppe Pezzella, Simona Orecchia, Patrizia Beccaglia, OBI/EPO-ITA-01/1 study group

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 9/2007

Abstract

Introduction

Anemia is frequently associated with cancer due to the disease itself and antineoplastic treatments. This open-label, uncontrolled, multi-center study evaluated the effects of once-weekly (qw) epoetin alfa 40,000 IU on hemoglobin (Hb) levels and quality of life (QoL) in anemic patients receiving chemotherapy for solid tumors.

Materials and methods

A total of 522 patients with Hb level ≤12 g/dL received epoetin alfa 40,000 IU qw subcutaneously for 9–20 weeks to reach and maintain Hb range of 12–14 g/dL. QoL was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia (FACT-An [anemia sub-scale]) and Cancer Linear Analogue Scale (CLAS) at study entry, after two chemotherapy cycles, and at study end.

Results

Mean baseline Hb was 10.43 g/dL. Hb increases (g/dL) from baseline after 4, 8, 12 weeks and at study end were 1.07, 1.77, 1.92 and 1.71 g/dL, respectively. Response rates (Hb increase ≥1 and ≥2 g/dL during trial) were 81% and 61%, respectively. Mean increases in the FACT-An score from baseline (mean 55.4) were 3.1 after two chemotherapy cycles and 3.3 at study end; mean increases in the CLAS score from baseline (58.4 mm) were 5.9 mm after two chemotherapy cycles and 6.5 mm at study end.

Discussion

The greatest QoL increase was recorded when patients approached Hb level of 12 g/dL, independent of the baseline Hb level. Hb changes from baseline to trial end were related to corresponding changes in the FACT-An score. A positive correlation was also observed in patients with progressive disease. Adverse events were essentially those associated with chemotherapy. Incidence of thrombovascular events (6.7%) did not differ from the expected standard treatment in cancer patients. Epoetin alfa 40,000 IU qw increased Hb levels and improved or preserved QoL.

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Title: Correlation between variation in quality of life and change in hemoglobin level after treatment with epoetin alfa 40,000 IU administered once-weekly
Authors: Giacomo Cartenì
Laura Giannetta
Giovanni Ucci
Giorgio De Signoribus
Aldo Vecchione
Graziella Pinotti
Fabio Puglisi
Antonio Contillo
Giuseppe Pezzella
Simona Orecchia
Patrizia Beccaglia
OBI/EPO-ITA-01/1 study group
Publication date: 01-09-2007
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 9/2007
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-007-0220-4

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Abstract

Introduction

Materials and methods

Results

Discussion

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