Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Measurement of Heme Synthesis Levels in Mammalian Cells
Published on: July 9, 2015
Erythropoietin in cancer treatment: considerations about Henke's article
Alberto Biete Sola1, Felipe A Calvo Manuel, Bernardino Clavo Varas
1GICOR: Grupo de Investigación Clínica en Oncología Radioterápica, Servicios de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Clinic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
The concurrent use of erythropoietin beta (EPO)and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients has been reported by Henke et al (Lancet 2003;362:1255-60) to correct anemia and impair cancer control. Due to the potential impact in daily clinical practice of this information a systematic critical review of the mentioned article was performed. Authors selected 10 arguments to question the contents regarding methodological and statistical aspects of the trial, and added 14 comments of controversy in more basic scientific concepts mentioned in the text as published. The panel including epidemiologist and radiation oncologists with expertise in clinical research concluded with 5 additional remarks recommending caution in interpretation of these results in terms of changes in daily practice of anemic patients support, and advising not to use EPO at experimental doses or after reaching physiological concentrations of hemoglobin.
More Related Videos
06:38An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
Published on: September 12, 2019
12:04Engineering Oncogenic Heterozygous Gain-of-Function Mutations in Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells
Published on: March 10, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Erythropoiesis
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...