Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in oncology: a study-level meta-analysis of survival and other safety outcomes

Glaspy, J; Crawford, J; Vansteenkiste, Johan; Henry, D; Rao, S; Bowers, P; Berlin, JA; Tomita, D; Bridges, K; Ludwig, H

doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6605498

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in oncology: a study-level meta-analysis of survival and other safety outcomes

Author:

Glaspy, J

Crawford, J ; Vansteenkiste, Johan ; Henry, D ; Rao, S ; Bowers, P ; Berlin, JA ; Tomita, D ; Bridges, K ; Ludwig, H

Keywords:

Anemia, Hematinics, Humans, Neoplasms, Survival Analysis, Treatment Outcome, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Oncology, erythropoiesis-stimulating agent, anaemia, oncology, meta-analysis, RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN, QUALITY-OF-LIFE, CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED-ANEMIA, PLATINUM-BASED CHEMOTHERAPY, CELL LUNG-CANCER, PHASE-III TRIAL, TUMORS RECEIVING PLATINUM, NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA, WEEKLY EPOETIN-ALPHA, EVERY 3 WEEKS, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL, PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY, DISEASE-RELATED ANEMIA, 1112 Oncology and Carcinogenesis, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, Oncology & Carcinogenesis, 3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis

Abstract:

Cancer patients often develop the potentially debilitating condition of anaemia. Numerous controlled studies indicate that erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) can raise haemoglobin levels and reduce transfusion requirements in anaemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. To evaluate recent safety concerns regarding ESAs, we carried out a meta-analysis of controlled ESA oncology trials to examine whether ESA use affects survival, disease progression and risk of venous-thromboembolic events.