Efficacy of erythropoietin in anemia of patients with immuno-lymphoproliferative disease
Longo, G.; Fiorani, C.; Bonacorsi, G.; Vanzanelli, P.; Sani, F.; Bevini, M.; Curci, G.; Torelli, U.
Recenti Progressi in Medicina 83(7-8): 449-454
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-1193 PMID: 1529159 Document Number: 390703
Anemia is a common complication of lymphoproliferative syndromes. The exact pathogenic mechanism of this anemia is unclear. Many patients require progressive and persistent blood transfusions. We treated 10 patients (8 with multiple myeloma, 1 with non Hodgkin Lymphoma, 1 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia) by administering low doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (60 U/kg 3 times a week s.c.). All patients presented anemia with hemoglobin levels less than 10 gr/dl; renal function was not impaired (serum creatinine levels less than 1.2 mg/dl or creatinine clearance greater than 60 ml/min). A response was defined as an increase of hemoglobin level of at least 2 gr/dl or stop of red-cell transfusion within the first 3 months of treatment. Nine patients (90%) responded to treatment with a significant increase in the hemoglobin concentration. Two patients presented a cerebral stroke not correlated with erythropoietin administration.