The Efficacy of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin in Treatment Chemotherapy Induced Anemia in Children Diagnosed with a Solid Cancer

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment can increase hemoglobin levels and decrease transfusion requirements. This study aims to investigate how blood transfusion influences Hemoglobin levels in patients receiving rHuEPO for 12 weeks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a case-control study of 60 patients less than 15 years with anemia and a solid tumor in any location between February 2013 and March 2014. Median age of the patients were 6.27±0.58 years (range, 0.9-14 years). The patients were randomly assigned in two groups of rHuEPO receiving group and control group. 29 Patients in rHuEPO group received 150 IU/kg/dose rHuEPO subcutaneously, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks. The number of patients received transfusion during the treatment period was compared in the preceding 12 weeks. Also, adverse events (AE) were recorded at the 4(th), 8(th), and 12(th) weeks. RESULTS: Mean hemoglobin levels, before and after study, in rHuEPO group were 8.85±1.01 g/dl and 9.90±0.29 g/dl, respectively (p<0.001) and in control group were, 9.00±0.09 g/dl and 7.81±0.23 g/dl, respectively (p=0.25). Among 60 patients initially eligible the present study, 57 (29 in rHuEPO group and 28 in control group) completed study course.There was a significant decrease in transfusion requirements in the rHuEPO receiving group (p=0.004). 5 (17.2%) patients in the rHuEPO group needed a blood transfusion, whereas 15 (53.6%) patients needed a transfusion in the control group. rHuEPO occasioned hypertension in one patient at 4(th) week that caused to end the treatment. All other AE were transient, which did not reoccur after the transient discontinuation of the medication (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that the rHuEPO (150 IU/kg/day, 3 times a week) was effective in increasing hemoglobin levels as well as decreasing blood transfusion requirements in children with anemia following intensive chemotherapy.