Erythropoietin for patients undergoing radiotherapy: a pilot study

• Published in: Radiotherapy and oncology 1999-02, Vol.50 (2), p.185-190
• Main Authors: Henke, Michael, Guttenberger, Roland, Barke, Annette, Pajonk, Frank, Pötter, Richard, Frommhold, Hermann
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anemia; Colorectal Neoplasms - blood; Colorectal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Colorectal Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Dose Fractionation, Radiation; Erythropoietin; Erythropoietin - therapeutic use; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Head and Neck Neoplasms - blood; Head and Neck Neoplasms - drug therapy; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Hemoglobins - metabolism; Humans; Iron - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Pelvic Neoplasms - blood; Pelvic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Pelvic Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Radiotherapy; Recombinant Proteins; Safety; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0167-8140; 1879-0887
• DOI: 10.1016/S0167-8140(98)00115-7

Background and purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of using recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) to correct decreased hemoglobin levels in patients undergoing radiotherapy and to get an estimate of its influence on the efficacy of radiotherapy. Materials and methods: Fifty patients with cancer of the head and neck and the pelvis were randomized before radiotherapy to different rhEPO treatments (none, 3×150 U/kg per week i.v., 3×300 U/kg per week i.v. and 3×150 U/kg per week s.c.). Hematological parameters were evaluated weekly and the locoregional tumor control rates were determined in 38 patients with head and neck cancer. Results: rhEPO-treated patients showed a significant increase in their hemoglobin values (0.7 g/100 ml per week). The rhEPO response was comparable for patients with cancer of the head and neck and the pelvis. A delayed recovery was seen when iron deficiency or impaired iron mobilization was present. No serious toxicity was observed. Locoregional tumor control was improved, although not statistically significantly, in those head and neck cancer patients who experienced a rapid rise of hemoglobin. Conclusions: Low hemoglobin levels can be safely and quickly corrected with rhEPO. This may improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy.