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Management of cancer-associated anemia with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents: ASCO/ASH clinical practice guideline update.

Blood advances
April 23, 2019
Julia Bohlius et al. (13 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

To update recommendations for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in patients with cancer, focusing on safety, efficacy, and appropriate usage.

Results Summary

The study found that ESAs (including biosimilars) are effective in reducing the need for RBC transfusions in patients with chemotherapy-associated anemia when hemoglobin levels decline below 10 g/dL. Adding iron to ESA treatment may improve hematopoietic response and further reduce transfusion likelihood.

Population

Patients with cancer, specifically those with chemotherapy-associated anemia or selected patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (8)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
adding iron to treatment with an ESA
increase
hematopoietic response
patients with cancer
-
may improve
#1
adding iron to treatment with an ESA
decrease
RBC transfusion
patients with cancer
-
reduce the likelihood of
#2
biosimilars of epoetin alfa
no change
reference products
patients with cancer or chronic kidney disease
-
have similar efficacy and safety to
#3
ESAs (including biosimilars)
neutral
chemotherapy-associated anemia
patients with chemotherapy-associated anemia whose cancer treatment is not curative in intent and whose hemoglobin has declined to < 10 g/dL
-
may be offered to
#4
ESAs
neutral
nonchemotherapy-associated anemia
most patients with nonchemotherapy-associated anemia
-
should not be offered to
#5
During ESA treatment
increase
the lowest concentration needed to avoid transfusions
patients receiving ESA treatment
-
hemoglobin may be increased to
#6
iron replacement
increase
hemoglobin response
patients receiving ESA with or without iron deficiency
-
may be used to improve
#7
iron replacement
decrease
RBC transfusions
patients receiving ESA with or without iron deficiency
-
reduce
#8
Abstract

PURPOSE: To update the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)/American Society of Hematology (ASH) recommendations for use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in patients with cancer. METHODS: PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of RCTs in patients with cancer published from January 31, 2010, through May 14, 2018. For biosimilar ESAs, the literature search was expanded to include meta-analyses and RCTs in patients with cancer or chronic kidney disease and cohort studies in patients with cancer due to limited RCT evidence in the cancer setting. ASCO and ASH convened an Expert Panel to review the evidence and revise previous recommendations as needed. RESULTS: The primary literature review included 15 meta-analyses of RCTs and two RCTs. A growing body of evidence suggests that adding iron to treatment with an ESA may improve hematopoietic response and reduce the likelihood of RBC transfusion. The biosimilar literature review suggested that biosimilars of epoetin alfa have similar efficacy and safety to reference products, although evidence in cancer remains limited. RECOMMENDATIONS: ESAs (including biosimilars) may be offered to patients with chemotherapy-associated anemia whose cancer treatment is not curative in intent and whose hemoglobin has declined to < 10 g/dL. RBC transfusion is also an option. With the exception of selected patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, ESAs should not be offered to most patients with nonchemotherapy-associated anemia. During ESA treatment, hemoglobin may be increased to the lowest concentration needed to avoid transfusions. Iron replacement may be used to improve hemoglobin response and reduce RBC transfusions for patients receiving ESA with or without iron deficiency. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/supportive-care-guidelines and www.hematology.org/guidelines.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnemiaBiosimilar PharmaceuticalsHematinicsHematologyHumansNeoplasmsPractice Guidelines as TopicSocieties, MedicalUnited States
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety75
Efficacy80/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations60
Citations/Year10.0
Relative Citation Ratio3.14
NIH Percentile85.9%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score2.65
Normalized Score0.80
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