Epoetin beta once weekly: review of its efficacy and safety in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia.

Abstract

Epoetin beta effectively increases hemoglobin levels, reduces the need for transfusions and improves the quality of life in patients with symptomatic chemotherapy-induced anemia with a range of solid tumors and lymphoid malignancies. Recent evidence-based guidelines recommend the once weekly administration of epoetin beta. This once-weekly regimen is generally well tolerated, and studies to date have reported that epoetin beta has a neutral effect on survival of patients with cancer. The once-weekly administration regimen is convenient for the physician and patient alike. Methods to further optimize this treatment are discussed.

• Authors: Dominique Spaëth
• Journal: Expert review of anticancer therapy (Expert Rev Anticancer Ther) Vol. 8 Issue 6 Pg. 875-85 (Jun 2008) ISSN: 1744-8328 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18533797 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Hematinics
• Hemoglobins
• Recombinant Proteins
• epoetin beta
• Erythropoietin

Topics

• Anemia (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Erythropoietin (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Hematinics (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Hemoglobins (drug effects, metabolism)
• Humans
• Neoplasms (complications, drug therapy)
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Quality of Life
• Recombinant Proteins
• Survival Rate