Treatment Of Chemotherapy-induced Anemia Research Articles

Chinese physician perception on the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia: online cross-section survey study.

The management of chemotherapy induced anemia (CIA) remains challenging. The potential risk and benefits in providing patient-centered care need to be balanced; the disease is multifactorial; and the major treatments including red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and intravenous injection (i.v.)iron supplementation have a unique set of strengths and limitations. Also, most previous survey based on the patient data could not reveal the process of evaluation and decision-making for CIA treatment from a physician's perspective. As the comparison of China Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines, the standard of CIA treatment in China will vary from United States and Europe, for example, the initial hemoglobin (Hb) for RBC transfusions. In order to understand the diagnosis, treatment, and unmet medical needs of CIA patients, the China Medical Education Association (CMEA), in conjunction with Cancer Hope Medium, initiated the first national survey of Chinese physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of CIA. The CMEA sent an online, 12-item questionnaire (via wjx.cn) to physicians across China from September 1, 2022 to October 22, 2022. Two hundred and sixty-five samples were calculated usingsurveyplanet.com. The questionnaire evaluated the impact of anemia on chemotherapy interruption, initial treatment, the target Hb level of CIA in, and the current status of ESAs prescription in clinical practice. Respondents were asked to score their reasons for not using ESAs (including safety issues, drug access in practice or adherence) and the risk options of the current treatment including ESAs, RBC transfusion, and i.v.iron. A total of 331 questionnaires among 5,000 web visits were gathered, covering 247 hospitals in 29 provinces across China, of which 130 (53%) were tier IIIA hospitals, 50 (20%) were tier III B hospitals, 59 (24%) were tier IIA hospitals, and 8 (3%) were tier II B hospitals. The frequency of chemotherapy dose delay/reduction due to anemia was 24% [standard deviation (SD) 49%]. Most responding physicians rated an initial Hb level for ESAs treatment to be 80 g/L, with a favorable Hb level for chemotherapy being 100 g/L (60%), which would not limit treatment availability. The majority (67.6%, n=221) of physicians who responded indicated that they had used ESAs for anemia correction, while the others (32.4%, n=106) reported never using them. This is the first study in conducting a large-scale survey on the diagnosis and treatment of CIA in China from a physicians' perspective. We found that in China, nearly one-quarter of patients undergoing chemotherapy with concurrent anemia may experience interruption of chemotherapy and that the initiation of anemia treatment is not adequately timed. In treating CIA, most physicians prioritize the completion of chemotherapy via Hb level over treating the symptoms of anemia.

Efficacy of ferric carboxymaltose or darbepoetin alfa for chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with esophagogastric or pancreaticobiliary cancer: a retrospective comparative study.

Esophagogastric and pancreaticobiliary cancers are associated with chronic blood loss, poor nutrition, and surgical interventions that interfere with iron absorption. Patients with these cancers often have a higher incidence of chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) than patients with other malignancies. To investigate the efficacy of intravenous iron or erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESA) for CIA treatment in patients with esophagogastric or pancreaticobiliary cancer. Retrospective, comparative chart review of patients with esophagogastric or pancreaticobiliary cancer who received ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), or darbepoetin alfa (DA), and myelosuppressive chemotherapy at Chungbuk National University Hospital between June 2018 and December 2022. To assess the efficacy of FCM or DA over time, data on hemoglobin (Hb) levels were collected from the time of administration of FCM or DA (baseline) until 6 months post-baseline, when available. In total, 214 patients (124 in the FCM and 90 in the DA group) were included in the analysis. The FCM group had a higher maximum Hb level and Hb changes for 3 months (mean ± standard deviation) following FCM or DA administration from baseline than the DA group (11.3 ± 1.5 versus 10.9 ± 1.2 g/dL, p = 0.02 and 2.0 ± 1.4 versus 1.5 ± 1.1 g/dL, p = 0.004, respectively). The FCM group had a higher proportion of Hb responders than the DA group (83.9% versus 68.9%, p = 0.013). Based on multivariable analysis, only the CIA treatment group was a significant factor for Hb response (odds ratio = 2.06, 95% confidence interval = 1.05-4.06, p = 0.036). Both FCM and DA are effective, and FCM showed a higher Hb response than DA for CIA treatment in patients with esophagogastric or pancreaticobiliary cancer. Therefore, further randomized controlled trials should determine the optimal treatment for CIA in patients with these cancers undergoing myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

Intravenous Iron Supplementation for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The pathophysiology of cancer-related anemia is multifactorial, including that of chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA). The guidelines are not consistent in their approach to the use of intravenous (IV) iron in patients with cancer as part of the clinical practice. Materials and methods: All randomized controlled trials that compared IV iron with either no iron or iron taken orally for the treatment of CIA were included. We excluded trials if erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) were used. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients requiring a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during the study period. The secondary outcomes included the hematopoietic response (an increase in the Hb level by more than 1 g/dL or an increase above 11 g/dL), the iron parameters and adverse events. For the dichotomous data, risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (Cis) were estimated and pooled. For the continuous data, the mean differences were calculated. A fixed effect model was used, except in the event of significant heterogeneity between the trials (p < 0.10; I2 > 40%), in which we used a random effects model. Results: A total of 8 trials published between January 1990 and July 2021 that randomized 1015 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, 553 patients were randomized to IV iron and were compared with 271 patients randomized to oral iron and 191 to no iron. IV iron decreased the percentage of patients requiring a blood transfusion compared with oral iron (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.55–0.95) with a number needed to treat of 20 (95% CI 11–100). IV iron increased the hematopoietic response (RR 1.23; 95% CI 1.01–1.5). There was no difference with respect to the risk of adverse events (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.88–1.07; 8 trials) or severe adverse events (RR 1.09; 95% CI 0.76–1.57; 8 trials). Conclusions: IV iron resulted in a decrease in the need for RBC transfusions, with no difference in adverse events in patients with CIA. IV iron for the treatment of CIA should be considered in clinical practice.

EE323 A Targeted Literature Review of the Cost-Effectiveness of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents As Standard Care for the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are an option for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA). The primary objective was to assess published cost-effectiveness analyses using ESAs as standard care (SC) for the treatment of CIA in non-myeloid cancer.

The addition of oral iron improves chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.

Although many studies have shown that supplementation with iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) is frequently used for managing chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA), optimal combination therapy using these agents together to ameliorate anemia is not well characterized. To assess the effects of ESA combined with oral or intravenous (IV) iron on relieving CIA, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for articles. Data collected in the articles were meta-analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software with a random-effects model. Our comprehensive search yielded 1666 potentially relevant trials. A total of 41 trials randomizing 4200 patients with CIA fulfilled inclusion criteria, including 34 Chinese articles and 7 English articles. Meta-analysis showed that treatment with both ESA and iron more effectively improved CIA relative to iron supplementation alone, with increased hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count and hematopoietic response rate. Subgroup analyses revealed iron administration, both oral and IV iron, improved anemia in ESA-treated cancer patients with CIA. Our analysis demonstrates that iron supplementation combined with ESA more effectively ameliorates CIA relative to iron supplementation alone, without regard to whether IV or oral iron was used. Together, our findings may contribute to the clinical treatment of CIA using iron therapy with or without ESA.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Hematopoietic Growth Factors, Version 1.2022.

The NCCN Guidelines for Hematopoietic Growth Factors provide recommendations for the appropriate use of growth factors in the clinical management of febrile neutropenia (FN), chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT), and chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA). Management and prevention of these sequelae are an integral part of supportive care for many patients undergoing cancer treatment. The purpose of these guidelines is to operationalize the evaluation, prevention, and treatment of FN, CIT, and CIA in adult patients with nonmyeloid malignancies and to enable the patient and clinician to assess management options for FN, CIT, and CIA in the context of an individual patient's condition. These NCCN Guidelines Insights provide a summary of the important recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Hematopoietic Growth Factors, with particular emphasis on the incorporation of a newly developed section on CIT.

Overview of Systematic Reviews (SRs) of Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs) As Standards of Care for Non-Myeloid Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced-Anemia (CIA)

OBJECTIVES: While chemotherapy is fundamental to the treatment of many cancers, it is associated with adverse events (AEs), including anemia. CIA is linked to many symptoms, including fatigue and cognitive impairment. Most cancer patients receiving chemotherapy experience CIA. ESAs are indicated for treatment of CIA in non-myeloid cancers. Given the extensive data available, we reviewed SRs of the existing evidence on ESAs for treatment of CIA, to assess their relative efficacy and safety.METHODS: A search for published SRs of ESAs for the treatment of CIA in adults with non-myeloid cancers was conducted across seven databases and three online resources, from inception to July 2020. Data were extracted on hemoglobin-related (Hb)-outcomes; mortality; health-related quality of life (HRQoL), iron use, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, cancer-related outcomes, and serious AEs (SAEs) including thromboembolic events. Risk of bias was assessed by two reviewers using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2 tool.RESULTS: Of 1027 records assessed, 33 records met eligibility criteria; from these, 14 SRs (from 19 publications) were considered core and were extracted. The majority of SRs (n=13) were meta-analyses of randomized, controlled trials. Mortality was evaluated in 9 SRs: 5 reported no difference between ESA vs. control (best supportive care (BSC) and/or placebo and/or no treatment) and 2 reported higher mortality with ESA vs. control (standard care (no iron or oral iron) and/or placebo and/or no treatment). Cancer-related overall survival was not significantly different for ESA vs. control (BSC or placebo) in 2 SRs, or vs. no ESA treatment in 1 SR. Relapse-free, recurrence-free and progression-free survival did not differ between ESA vs. BSC, no treatment, or placebo, according to 1 SR.Two SRs reported a significantly improved change in Hb from baseline for ESA vs. placebo or BSC. Four SRs reported significantly improved hematological response (definitions varied by study) for ESA vs. control (BSC and/or placebo and/or no treatment) (Table). RBC transfusion requirements were reported for 5 treatment comparisons in 12 SRs. For 3 comparisons (ESA vs. control (BSC and/or placebo and/or no treatment); IV iron + ESA vs. standard care; and IV iron + ESA vs. no iron + ESA), there was a consistent statistically significant reduction in transfusion rates with ESA-based treatment. For 2 other comparisons, 1 SR reported no significant difference in transfusion rates with oral iron + ESA vs. no iron + ESA, and 2 SRs found no difference between darbepoetin vs. epoetin. ESA was associated with a requirement for significantly fewer RBC units per patient vs. control (BSC or placebo) in 1 SR.Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anemia (FACT-An, 6 SRs) and FACT-Fatigue (FACT-F, 7 SRs) were the only HRQoL measures reported. Two SRs reported clinically important improvements in FACT-An with ESA vs. control (BSC and/or placebo); the remaining SRs reported difficulty in interpreting results due to study heterogeneity. Five SRs reported significant improvements in FACT-F with ESA vs. control (BSC and/or placebo and/or no treatment). One SR did not present a meta-analysis, stating that FACT-F results did not differ for ESA vs. placebo groups, and 1 SR reported a significant improvement in FACT-F for IV iron + ESA vs. standard care (no iron or oral iron).Of 2 SRs reporting SAEs, 1 found no difference in incidence for IV iron + ESA vs. standard care (no iron or oral iron) and 1 found significantly greater incidence for ESA vs. no treatment. Of 6 SRs that compared ESA vs. control, 3 reported an increased risk of thromboembolic events with ESAs in the treatment of CIA and 2 reported no significant difference between treatment groups. The remaining SR reported numerically higher incidences of thromboembolic events with ESA vs. control (no statistical comparison).Several outcomes of interest were not reported, including time to first rescue therapy and supplementary iron use. Most SRs did not report on study quality.CONCLUSIONS: In all SRs reporting efficacy, there were improvements in Hb change from baseline, Hb response, and reduction in RBC transfusions for patients with CIA treated with ESAs vs. control. Results were less consistent across SRs for mortality, thromboembolic events, and HRQoL for ESA vs. control. Lack of study quality reporting may affect the strength of these findings. [Display omitted] DisclosuresMorga: Astellas Pharma Europe Ltd.: Current Employment. Atzinger: Astellas Pharma Inc.: Current Employment. Arber: York Health Economics Consortium Ltd: Current Employment. King: York Health Economics Consortium Ltd: Current Employment. Phalguni: York Health Economics Consortium Ltd: Current Employment. Sanderson: York Health Economics Consortium Ltd: Current Employment. Alexandre: Astellas Pharma Europe B.V.: Current Employment.

A retrospective analysis of venous thromboembolism trends in chemotherapy-induced anemia: Red blood cell transfusion versus erythrocyte stimulating agent administration.

BackgroundPatients receiving a variety of chemotherapy regimens often develop chemotherapy‐induced anemia (CIA), which contributes to poor outcomes including increased mortality. Prompt and effective treatment of CIA is essential to prevent fewer chemotherapy dose delays and reductions. Optimal therapy of CIA is controversial and involves the solitary and combined use of intravenous iron, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs). Despite the baseline coagulopathies present in patients with malignancy, administration of both RBC transfusions and ESAs is associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). It remains unknown whether the risk of VTE in patients with CIA is greater among patients who receive RBC transfusions or ESAs.MethodsA retrospective study analyzed 10,269 University of Pennsylvania Health System patients with malignancies of various type, stage, and histopathology who developed CIA between 2008 and 2017. Using multivariate Cox regression, we determined adjusted hazard ratios (and corresponding 95% confidence intervals) of VTE development after adjusting for RBC and ESA intervention (all during the 90 days following CIA diagnosis).ResultsAmong the 10,269 patients with CIA, 2,642 (25.7%) developed a VTE within the 90‐day period. VTE risk following RBC transfusion (HR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.24‐1.50, P < .001) was more than twice as common as VTE risk following ESA administration (HR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.40‐0.69, P < .001).ConclusionWhile both RBC transfusion and ESA are independently associated with VTE, our data suggest a greater risk of VTE development with RBC transfusion as compared with ESA.

A retrospective analysis of venous thromboembolism trends in chemotherapy-induced anemia.

e15515 Background: Anemia is a common and unfortunate consequence of chemotherapy. Patients receiving a variety of chemotherapy regimens often develop chemotherapy–induced anemia (CIA), which contributes to poor outcomes, including increased mortality. Prompt and effective treatment of CIA is essential to prevent fewer chemotherapy dose delays and reductions. Despite the baseline coagulopathies present in patients with malignancy, administration of RBC transfusions is associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). It remains unknown whether the risk of VTE in patients with CIA is greater among patients who receive single or multiple RBC transfusions. Methods: A retrospective study analyzed 10,269 University of Pennsylvania Health System patients with malignancies of various type, stage, and histopathology who developed CIA between 5/1/08-12/31/17. We analyzed rates of VTE development after adjusting for RBC intervention with a 95% confidence interval during the 90 days following CIA diagnosis. Results: Among the 10,269 patients with CIA, 2,008 patients (19.6%) received only RBC transfusion as anemia treatment; of that group, 545 (27.1%) developed a VTE. Transfusion of 2+ units RBC compared with 1 unit of RBC was associated with an increase in VTE development (RR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.72). The relationship of higher VTE development with increasing number of transfusions is displayed below. Conclusions: While RBC transfusion in patients with CIA is independently associated with VTE, our data further suggests an exponential risk of VTE development with increasing numbers of RBC transfusions. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]

Ferric Carboxymaltose in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anaemia: an effective, safe and cost- sparing alternative to blood transfusion

Anaemia is highly prevalent in cancer patients, adversely affects quality of life and impacts survival. The pathogenesis is multifactorial, with iron deficiency being a major and potentially treatable contributor. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and economic impact of ferric carboxymaltose in chemotherapy-induced anaemia. This prospective cohort study between 2015–2016 of chemotherapy-treated patients for solid tumours, grade ≥2 anaemia and iron deficiency evaluated hematopoietic response four weeks after ferric carboxymaltose treatment. Transfusion rate of all cancer patients treated at our ambulatory unit during the two-year study period (2015–2016) was compared to a retrospective cohort (2013–2014) who received blood transfusion only. Between 2015–2016, 99 patients were included and treated with ferric carboxymaltose, the majority of whom (n = 81) had relative iron deficiency. Mean haemoglobin concentrations improved from 9.2 [6.7–10.8] g/dL to 10.6 [7.8–14.2] g/dL four weeks after treatment. A 26% reduction in the transfusion rate was observed from control retrospective to the prospective study group including ferric carboxymaltose treated patients [relative risk 0.74 (95% CI:0.66–0.83)]. The cost analysis showed a benefit for the use of ferric carboxymaltose in chemotherapy-induced anaemia. This study shows that ferric carboxymaltose is an effective, cost-saving support treatment, reducing the need for allogeneic transfusions saving blood units which are a limited resource.

A 19-Year Retrospective Analysis of Venous Thromboembolism Trends in Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia: Red Blood Cell Transfusion Versus Erythrocyte Stimulating Agent Administration

Introduction: Anemia is a common and unfortunate consequence of chemotherapy; patients receiving a variety of chemotherapy regimens often develop chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA), which contributes to poor outcomes including increased mortality. Prompt and effective treatment of CIA is essential to prevent fewer chemotherapy dose delays and reductions. Optimal therapy of CIA is controversial and involves the solitary and combined use of intravenous iron, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs). Despite the baseline coagulopathies present in patients with malignancy, administration of both RBC transfusions and ESAs is independently associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). It remains unknown whether the risk of VTE in patients with CIA is greater among patients who receive RBC transfusions or ESAs. Methods: A retrospective study analyzed 13,334 patients in the University of Pennsylvania Health System with malignancies of various type, stage, and histopathology who developed CIA between 1998-2017. Using multivariate Cox regression, we determined adjusted hazard ratios (and corresponding 95% confidence intervals) of VTE development after adjusting for RBC and ESA intervention (all during the 90 days following CIA diagnosis). Results: (Table 1) Among the 13,334 patients with CIA, 10,948 patients did not receive any therapy during the 90-day period for their anemia (neither RBC nor ESA), 1,892 received RBC transfusion, 368 received ESA, and 126 patients received both. Among all patients, 2,620 (19.7%) developed a VTE within the 90-day period. VTE risk following RBC transfusion (HR=2.18, 95% CI 1.98-2.39, p&lt;0.001) was approximately four-fold the VTE risk following ESA administration (HR=0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.72, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: While both RBC transfusion and ESA administration are associated with VTE, our data suggests a greater risk of VTE development with RBC transfusion as compared with ESA administration. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

A 19-year retrospective analysis of venous thromboembolism trends in chemotherapy-induced anemia: Red blood cell transfusion versus erythrocyte stimulating agent administration

Abstract Background Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) contributes to poor patient outcomes and increased mortality. Prompt and effective treatment of CIA is essential to prevent fewer chemotherapy dose delays and reductions. Optimal therapy of CIA involves intravenous iron, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and erythrocyte stimulating agents (ESAs). Despite the baseline coagulopathies present in patients with malignancy, administration of both RBC transfusions and ESAs is independently associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). It remains unknown whether the risk of VTE in patients with CIA is greater among patients who receive RBC transfusions or ESAs and whether or not this risk is consistent across gender and age. Methods A retrospective study analyzed 13,334 patients with various malignancies who developed CIA between 1998-2017. Using multivariate Cox regression, we determined adjusted hazard ratios (and corresponding 95% confidence intervals) of VTE development after controlling for RBC and ESA intervention (within 90 days after CIA diagnosis). Data was then stratified by gender and age ( Results Among the 13,334 patients with CIA, 2,620 (19.7%) developed a VTE. Despite stratification by gender, VTE risk following RBC transfusion was approximately four-fold the VTE risk following ESA administration (Table). Among patients with CIA who were Table: 106P . Treatment and outcomes within 90 days following CIA diagnosis No treatment RBC only ESA only RBC and ESA Patients with VTE (All Patients) 2028 (10,948) 538 (1,892) 42 (368) 12 (126) 18.5% 28.4% (HR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.98-2.39, p 11.4% (HR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.72, p 9.5% Men with VTE (All male patients) 970 (5428) 269 (917) 21 (182) 5 (61) 17.9% 29.3% (HR = 2.33, 95% CI (2.04-2.67, p 11.5% (HR = 0.55, 95% CI (0.37-0.81, p = 0.002) 8.3% Women with VTE (All female patients) 1058 (5519) 269 (975) 21 (186) 7 (65) 19.2% 27.6% (HR = 2.04, 95% CI (1.79-2.33), p 11.3% (HR = 0.56, 95% CI (0.38-0.81), p = 0.002) 10.8% Conclusions Among patients with CIA, there is an approximate four-fold increased risk of VTE development with RBC transfusion as compared with ESA administration. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Epidemiology of Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia in Patients with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Anemia is a common adverse effect of myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and the development of chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is more common in patients with hematologic malignant tumors. To assess the incidence and treatment pattern of CIA in patients diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) from a large managed care organization in California. Patients diagnosed with NHL between 2010 and 2012 were studied to provide an updated picture of CIA in current hematology-oncology practice. Trends in anemia treatment patterns were examined from 2000 to 2013. All data were collected from Kaiser Permanente Southern California electronic health records. Of 699 chemotherapy-treated patients with NHL diagnosed between 2010 and 2012, 36.9% and 11.6% developed moderate (hemoglobin < 10 g/dL) and severe (hemoglobin < 8 g/dL) CIA during chemotherapy, respectively. Proportions of moderate CIA events treated with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) decreased from 2000 to 2013: 34% in phase 1 (January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2006), 22% in phase 2 (January 1, 2007, to March 24, 2010), and 6% in phase 3 (March 25, 2010, to June 30, 2013). An increasing trend of red blood cell transfusion was observed: 12% in phase 1, 22% in phase 2, and 27% in phase 3. Similar calendar trends were observed for management of severe CIA events. In contrast to previous European reports, we note a higher incidence of CIA in patients with NHL in this US community practice setting. Moderate to severe CIA is common in patients with NHL receiving chemotherapy. Multiple ESA-related policy changes occurred from 2000 to 2013. A large proportion of CIA episodes were currently not treated with ESA, and transfusions have become more common. Further studies are needed to determine associations between CIA symptom burden and CIA treatment as they relate to patient outcomes and quality of life.

A retrospective analysis of venous thromboembolism trends in chemotherapy-induced anemia: Red blood cell transfusion versus erythrocyte stimulating agent (ESA) administration.

e14685 Background: Anemia is a common and unfortunate consequence of chemotherapy; patients receiving a variety of chemotherapy regimens often develop chemotherapy–induced anemia (CIA), which contributes to poor outcomes including increased mortality. Prompt and effective treatment of CIA is essential to prevent fewer chemotherapy dose delays and reductions. Optimal therapy of CIA is controversial and involves the solitary and combined use of intravenous iron, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs). Despite the baseline coagulopathies present in patients with malignancy, administration of both RBC transfusions and ESAs is associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). It remains unknown whether the risk of VTE in patients with CIA is greater among patients who receive RBC transfusions or ESAs. Methods: A retrospective single-institution study analyzed 7360 patients with varying malignancies who developed CIA and received ESAs and RBC transfusion from 1998-2017. These patients were evaluated for subsequent development of VTE and categorized by prior receipt of RBC transfusion or ESA. Results: Among the 7360 patients with CIA, 5503 received either RBC transfusion or ESA and 1857 received both. Among all patients, 3466/7360 (47.1%) developed a VTE. The absolute risk of developing a VTE with receipt of a RBC transfusion was 0.38 compared to 0.19 with ESA. Patients with CIA who received RBC had twice the risk of developing a VTE compared with those who received ESA (p &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: While both RBC transfusion and ESA administration are independently associated with VTE, our data suggests a greater risk of VTE development with RBC transfusion as compared with ESA administration.[Table: see text]

Use and costs of originator and biosimilar erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia: real-world evidence from an Italian hospital.

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate adherence, switch and costs a year after the start of treatment with different erythropoietin-stimulating agents. There were 277 patients, 200 were originators (72.20%) and 77 (27.80%) were biosimilars. Adherence to treatment for originators is 0.84±0.22 versus 0.76±0.27 for biosimilars (p=0.3241). Medication adherence was calculated as ratio between received daily dose to prescribed daily dose. The optimum value is 1, values less than 1indicate loss of adherence. The cost of treatment per year is €7365 per patient for the use of the originator drug versus €2587 for biosimilars, with a difference of €4777 per patient.

A quick scoping review of efficacy, safety, economic, and health-related quality-of-life outcomes of short- and long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia and chronic kidney disease anemia.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are man-made forms of erythropoietin used in the treatment of anemia. This quick-scoping review of systematic literature reviews (SLRs) was conducted to define the clinical, economic, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes for short-acting and long-acting ESAs in patients with chronic kidney disease-induced anemia (CKD-IA) and patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA). Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched from their establishment until October 2017. SLRs related to the use of short-acting and long-acting ESAs in the treatment of CIA and CKD-IA were included. Forty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence suggests little difference in efficacy, HRQoL, and safety outcomes among ESA types. Cost-effectiveness and market price are likely to become determining factors driving the choice of agent. Comparative studies and costing models accounting for the utilization of biosimilars are needed to establish which ESAs are more cost-effective.

Prospsective phase II pilot study to evaluate the use of intravenous iron in the treatment of anemia in cancer patients.

10113Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are common complications in cancer patients. Evidence on intravenous (IV) iron for treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is emerging. Herein, ...

Correction to: Epoetin Biosimilars in the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia: 10 Years’ Experience Gained

Figure1, HX575 column, 5th box down, which previously read "SC HX575 vs. Eprex®/Erypo® 417 patients with CKD-related anemia" as shown here.

Development and 10-year history of a biosimilar: the example of Binocrit®.

Patent expirations for several biological products have prompted the development of alternative versions, termed ‘biosimilars’, which have comparable quality, safety and efficacy to a licensed biological medicine (also referred to as the ‘reference’ medicine). The first biosimilars developed in oncology were the supportive-care agents filgrastim and epoetin. Binocrit® (HX575) is a biosimilar version of epoetin alfa, indicated in the oncology setting for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA). The process for development and approval of Binocrit® as a biosimilar included extensive analytical characterization and comparison with the reference epoetin alfa. This was followed by a clinical development program comprising phase I pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies to show bioequivalence to the reference medicine and a confirmatory phase III study to confirm therapeutic effectiveness in CIA. Since its approval, Binocrit® has been extensively used and studied in real-world clinical practice. The accumulated data confirm that Binocrit® is an effective and well-tolerated option for the treatment of CIA in patients with cancer.

Efficacy and safety of biosimilar epoetin alpha in patients with chronic lymphoid neoplasms and chemotherapy-induced anaemia: An observational, retrospective, monocentric analysis.

Epoetin biosimilars are an alternative to originator erythropoietic agents in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anaemia; however, their effects in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders remain unclear. This analysis examined the response of patients with lymphoproliferative disorders experiencing chemotherapy-induced anaemia to 4- or 8-week treatment with the biosimilar epoetin alpha. Treatment was initiated at first occurrence of haemoglobin (Hb)<10g/dL during chemotherapy and was stopped when Hb was >11g/dL, when chemotherapy was completed, or in case of transfusion dependency. Response to epoetin alpha was defined as an increase in Hb of >1g/dL or as an Hb>11g/dL. Stability was defined as change in Hb of ±1g/dL, and no response was indicated by a decrease in Hb of >1g/dL or acquired transfusion dependence. Overall, 65 patients were enrolled (median age 69years; 47.7%≥70years old). Mean Hb levels at the initiation of epoetin alpha was 9.3±0.5g/dL. Mean Hb levels reached 10.7±1.4 and 10.6±1.5g/dL at weeks 4 and 8, respectively, in patients on first-line chemotherapy and 11.4±1.6 and 9.7±1.3g/dL in those on a second- or higher-line regimen. Overall, 70.8% of patients responded, 26.1% had stable Hb, and 3.1% did not respond. Delays or interruption of any chemotherapy cycle due to anaemia occurred in 18 patients. The biosimilar epoetin alpha was well tolerated and allowed patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or chronic lymphoproliferative disorders to continue their course of chemotherapy by effectively increasing and maintaining adequate concentrations of Hb.