A randomized open-label study of darbepoetin alfa administered every 3 weeks with or without parenteral iron in anemic subjects with nonmyeloid malignancies receiving chemotherapy

Abstract

8612 Background: Patients (pts) with cancer receiving chemotherapy often have chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) and reduced quality of life. Darbepoetin alfa (DA) is an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) that can effectively treat CIA when administered once every 3 weeks (Q3W). In patients with CIA, limited data in the literature suggest that administration of intravenous (IV) iron with ESA therapy may increase clinical response. Methods: This randomized, multicenter, open-label, 16-week study evaluated the safety and efficacy of DA 500 mcg administered Q3W using the SureClick injection device in pts with CIA (Hb < 11 g/dL) who received either IV iron or standard practice for iron administration (oral iron or no iron). The dose of IV iron was 200 mcg administered either Q3W with DA Q3W or, if required, as 2 doses (200 mcg total) within a 3-week period. Pts who received ≥ 1 dose of DA and who completed the 16-week study period by October 19, 2005 are included in this interim analysis (planned sample size = 400 pts). Accrual will have finished by conference time. Randomization was stratified by tumor type and baseline (BL) Hb (< 10 or ≥ 10 g/dL). The incidence of adverse events and serious adverse events, in particular embolic/thrombotic events, was summarized. Efficacy endpoints were estimated using the crude % of pts (95% CI). Hb values within 28 days of a transfusion were not included in any efficacy analysis. Results: Of the 114 pts included in this interim analysis, 65% were women, 99% were Caucasian, the mean (SD) age was 60 years (12), and 26% had lung or gynecological tumors; study endpoints are shown in the table. Conclusions: Based on the interim results, the safety profile for pts receiving DA 500 mcg Q3W with IV iron appears to be comparable to pts receiving DA 500 mcg Q3W with oral iron or no iron. The % pts who achieved the target Hb (≥ 11 g/dL) appeared higher, and the % pts who required transfusions appeared lower, in the group receiving IV iron. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]