Erythropoietin in cancer patients: pros and cons
1Haematology - Oncology Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, Luxembourg. mdicato@gmail.com
Purpose Of Review:
Anaemia is a frequent complication of cancer. Recently, some concerns have appeared regarding the safety of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for the treatment of anaemia in cancer patients. The current review will analyse the main arguments in favour of erythropoietin (EPO), as well as those against EPO in chemotherapy-induced anaemia and in cancer-related anaemia. The principal concerns are tumour progression, increased mortality and the risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTEs). Recent meta-analyses have come to divergent conclusions.
Recent Findings:
Several meta-analyses have reviewed the data regarding VTEs, EPO receptors on tumours and tumour progression as well as mortality.
Summary:
As of now, ESAs should only be used within the indications as given in the various guidelines.
More Related Videos
12:04Engineering Oncogenic Heterozygous Gain-of-Function Mutations in Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells
Published on: March 10, 2023
08:53Author Spotlight: Advancing Erythropoiesis Research - A Simplified Pipeline for Assessing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function in Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Published on: January 10, 2025
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...
Erythropoiesis
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...
Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
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...
