Efficacy of Darbepoetin alfa in Anemia Developed during Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer.
10.4046/trd.2009.66.2.104
- Author:
Hee Jung BAN
1
;
Su Young CHI
;
Cheol Kyu PARK
;
Eun Young KIM
;
Yoon Hee KIM
;
Kyu Sik KIM
;
Jin Young JU
;
Yong Soo KWON
;
In Jae OH
;
Yu Il KIM
;
Sung Chul LIM
;
Young Chul KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea. cyberkks@chonnam.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Darbepoetin alfa;
Anemia;
Lung cancer
- MeSH:
Anemia;
Erythropoietin;
Hemoglobins;
Humans;
Lung;
Lung Neoplasms;
Quality of Life;
Darbepoetin alfa
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2009;66(2):104-109
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Anemia is quite common in lung cancer patients and known to decrease the quality of life. Darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoiesis-stimulating protein approved for administration to cancer patients. This study examined the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa in lung cancer patients with a hemoglobin concentration <10 g/dl during chemotherapy. METHODS: Lung cancer patients (n=178) received darbepoetin alfa at doses of 1.91 microgram/kg per week until the hemoglobin concentration increased to >10 g/dl. The efficacy and safety were measured by comparing the hemoglobin concentration and assessing the adverse events. RESULTS: After chemotherapy, the hemoglobin concentration decreased to 9.03+/-0.64 g/dl. With the darbepoetin alfa treatment, the hemoglobin concentration increased to 10.09+/-1.17 g/dl after 4 weeks reaching a peak hemoglobin concentration of 10.45+/-1.18 g/dl. The changes in hemoglobin after 4 and 8 weeks with treatment were 1.08+/-1.24 g/dl and 1.38+/-1.59 g/dl (p<0.01). At least a 1 g/dl or more increase in hemoglobin was observed in 62.4% of patients. There were no serious adverse effects except for some mild reactions. CONCLUSION: Darbepoetin alfa administered to lung cancer patients appears to be an effective, well-tolerated treatment for chemotherapy induced anemia.
