Epoetin Beta (NeoRecormon®) Corrects Anaemia in Patients with Hormone-refractory Prostate Cancer and Bone Metastases

Abstract

Background: Severe anaemia is common in patients with metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Patients and Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of epoetin beta in correcting anaemia and maintaining haemoglobin (Hb) levels in this group of patients. Patients with HRPC, bone metastases and anaemia (Hb <12 g/dl) were included. Epoetin beta, 30,000 IU per week in three divided doses, was administered subcutaneously, with iron supplementation when needed. If Hb increased by <1 g/dl during the first 4 weeks of therapy, the epoetin dose was increased (increments of 5,000 IU per dose) at fortnightly intervals to a maximum of 60,000 IU per week. Patients with haematopoietic response (Hb increase ≥2 g/dl from baseline or Hb level ≥12 g/dl without blood transfusions) went on to receive epoetin beta 10,000 IU once weekly for up to 24 weeks. Results: All 29 evaluable patients demonstrated a haematopoietic response to epoetin beta treatment. None of the patients required blood transfusions. All patients showed improvements in quality of life (assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire). Hb levels were maintained for the remainder of the trial. Epoetin beta was very well tolerated. Conclusion: Epoetin beta therapy resulted in a rapid and sustained improvement in Hb levels in patients with HRPC metastatic to bone.