An extended maintenance dosing regimen of epoetin alfa 80,000 U every 3 weeks in anemic patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of epoetin alfa (EPO) at an initial dose of 60,000 Units (U) once weekly (QW) followed by extended dosing of 80,000 U every 3 weeks (Q3W) in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA).
Materials and Methods: Anemic patients (hemoglobin [Hb] < or = 11 g/dl) receiving Q3W chemotherapy for nonmyeloid malignancy were enrolled in this prospective, open-label, single-arm study to receive EPO 60,000 U subcutaneously (SC) QW (initial dosing phase [IDP]) until a target Hb level of 12 g/dl was reached (maximum 12 weeks). Patients who achieved an Hb level of 12 g/dl at any point during the IDP then entered the extended dosing phase (EDP; EPO 80,000 U SC Q3W). Maximum study duration (IDP + EDP) was 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a hematopoietic response (Hb increase > or = 2 g/dl from baseline or Hb > or = 12 g/dl) during the IDP.
Results: One hundred fifteen patients were enrolled. During the IDP, 76% (84/110) of patients achieved a hematopoietic response, and 15% (17/115) received red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Sixty-three percent (73/115) of patients entered the EDP, and 88% (64/73) of these patients maintained a mean Hb level > 11.0 and < or =13.0 g/dl. Two of 73 patients received RBC transfusion during the EDP. Adverse events were consistent with the underlying disease and chemotherapy treatment.
Conclusion: These results suggest that initiation of EPO 60,000 U SC QW is effective in the treatment of CIA and that EPO 80,000 U SC Q3W can be an effective extended dosing option.