HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Utilisation review of epoetin alfa in cancer patients at a cancer centre in Singapore.

AbstractINTRODUCTION:
Recombinant erythropoietin-stimulating agents have been used to ameliorate the symptoms of anaemia in cancer patients. However, there have been concerns about an increased risk of thromboembolic events and mortality. This study reviews the usage of epoetin alfa in treating chemotherapy-induced anaemia at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), as well as the prescribing and monitoring practices employed.
METHODS:
Cancer patients who have received at least one dose of epoetin alfa at the NCCS between January 1, 2005 and October 15, 2007 were included in this study.
RESULTS:
A total of 121 patients were identified and 91 patients were eligible for data collection. The majority of patients manifested breast cancer (30.8 percent) and ovarian cancer (15.4 percent). Over 90 percent of the patients were receiving either chemotherapy or radiotherapy when epoetin alfa was initiated. Epoetin alfa was initiated at a median haemoglobin level of 8.7 (range 7-14.3) g/dL. Approximately 41.8 percent of the patients had a positive response after the initiation of epoetin alfa. Baseline iron studies were performed in 12.1 percent of the patients. Blood pressure was uncontrolled, according to the Singapore Ministry of Health Hypertension guideline, in a substantial number of patients (32.6 percent) prior to the initiation epoetin alfa. There were no documented thromboembolic events.
CONCLUSION:
This study identified a broad range of practices in the utilisation of epoetin alfa at NCCS, which may explain the variable patient response to epoetin alfa. The results of this study will be used to improve the management of chemotherapy-induced anaemia at the institution.
AuthorsA Chan, L L Lim, M Tao
JournalSingapore medical journal (Singapore Med J) Vol. 50 Issue 4 Pg. 365-70 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 0037-5675 [Print] India
PMID19421679 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hematinics
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Erythropoietin
  • Epoetin Alfa
Topics
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anemia (blood, chemically induced, drug therapy)
  • Antineoplastic Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Blood Pressure (drug effects)
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Cancer Care Facilities (statistics & numerical data)
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Epoetin Alfa
  • Erythropoietin (therapeutic use)
  • Female
  • Hematinics (therapeutic use)
  • Hemoglobinometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms (blood, drug therapy)
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Singapore
  • Utilization Review (statistics & numerical data)
  • Young Adult

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: