The Role of Recombinant Erythropoietin in Childhood Cancer

Abstract

Abstract Learning Objectives After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the pathophysiology of anemia in children with cancer and explain the rationale for the use of rHuEPO in the prevention and treatment of cancer-associated anemia.Discuss the current indications for the use of rHuEPO in childhood cancer.Explain how the use of rHuEPO in patients with cancer may result in tumor progression and inferior survival outcome. CME Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ at CME.TheOncologist.com Anemia in children with cancer is not an uncommon complication and is usually multifactorial in etiology. In numerous trials in adult cancer patients, treatment with recombinant erythropoietin has been shown to increase hemoglobin levels, reduce red blood cell transfusion requirements, and improve quality of life. Much less has been published of its use in the prevention or treatment of cancer-associated anemia (CAA) in children, in whom chemotherapy is usually more intensive and likely to result in greater myelosuppression. This review critically evaluates the published evidence of its use in childhood cancer especially; its safety and efficacy in the prevention and treatment of CAA and some indications for its use in childhood cancer are suggested.