The Oncologist, Vol. 12, No. 2, 231-242, February 2007; doi:10.1634/theoncologist.12-2-231
© 2007 AlphaMed Press
Symptom Management and Supportive Care |
Intravenous Ferric Gluconate Significantly Improves Response to Epoetin Alfa Versus Oral Iron or No Iron in Anemic Patients with Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy
David H. Henrya,
Naomi V. Dahlb,
Michael Auerbachc,
Simon Tchekmedyiand,
Leslie R. Laufmane
a Joan Karnell Cancer Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
b Watson Laboratories, Inc., Morristown, New Jersey, USA
c Auerbach Hematology/Oncology, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
d Pacific Shores Medical Group, Long Beach, California, USA
e Hematology Oncology Consultants, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Key Words. Epoetin alfa • Anemia • Chemotherapy • Iron • Cancer
Correspondence:
David H. Henry, M.D., Joan Karnell Cancer Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, 230 West Washington Square, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA. Telephone: 215-829-6311; Fax: 215-829-6104; e-mail: dhhenry{at}juno.com
Purpose. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous (IV) sodium ferric gluconate complex (FG), oral ferrous sulfate, or no iron to increase hemoglobin (Hb) in anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and epoetin alfa.
Patients and Methods. In this open-label, multicenter trial, 187 patients with chemotherapy-related anemia (Hb <11 g/dl; serum ferritin 100 ng/ml or transferrin saturation 15%) scheduled to receive chemotherapy and epoetin alfa (40,000 U subcutaneously weekly) were randomized to 8 weeks of 125 mg of IV FG weekly, 325 mg of oral ferrous sulfate three times daily, or no iron. The primary outcome was a change in Hb from baseline to endpoint, first whole-blood or red blood cell transfusion, or study withdrawal.
Results. One hundred twenty-nine patients were evaluable for efficacy (FG, n = 41; oral iron, n = 44; no iron, n = 44). Mean increase in Hb was 2.4 g/dl (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.12.7) for FG (p = .0092 vs. oral iron; p = .0044 vs. no iron), 1.6 g/dl (95% CI, 1.12.1) for oral iron (p =.7695 vs. no iron), and 1.5 g/dl (95% CI, 1.11.9) for no iron. Hb response (increase 2 g/dl) was 73% for FG (p = .0099 vs. oral iron; p = .0029 vs. no iron), 46% for oral iron (p = .6687 vs. no iron), and 41% for no iron. FG was well tolerated.
Conclusion. For cancer patients with chemotherapy-related anemia receiving epoetin alfa, FG produces a significantly greater increase in Hb and Hb response compared with oral iron or no iron, supporting more aggressive treatment with IV iron supplementation for these patients.
This article has been cited by other articles:

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. B. Silverstein, J. A. Gilreath, and G. M. Rodgers
Intravenous Iron Therapy: A Summary of Treatment Options and Review of Guidelines
Journal of Pharmacy Practice,
December 1, 2008;
21(6):
431 - 443.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
D. S. Silverberg, D. Wexlerb, A. Iaina, and D. Schwartz
The role of correction of anaemia in patients with congestive heart failure: A short review
Eur J Heart Fail,
September 1, 2008;
10(9):
819 - 823.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
G. M. Rodgers, M. Auerbach, D. Cella, G. M. Chertow, D. W. Coyne, J. A. Glaspy, and D. H. Henry
High-Molecular Weight Iron Dextran: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?
J. Am. Soc. Nephrol.,
May 1, 2008;
19(5):
833 - 834.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Auerbach
Should Intravenous Iron Be the Standard of Care in Oncology?
J. Clin. Oncol.,
April 1, 2008;
26(10):
1579 - 1581.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
L. Bastit, A. Vandebroek, S. Altintas, B. Gaede, T. Pinter, T. S. Suto, T. W. Mossman, K. E. Smith, and J. F. Vansteenkiste
Randomized, Multicenter, Controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Darbepoetin Alfa Administered Every 3 Weeks With or Without Intravenous Iron in Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia
J. Clin. Oncol.,
April 1, 2008;
26(10):
1611 - 1618.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
P. Pedrazzoli, A. Farris, S. Del Prete, F. Del Gaizo, D. Ferrari, C. Bianchessi, G. Colucci, A. Desogus, T. Gamucci, A. Pappalardo, et al.
Randomized Trial of Intravenous Iron Supplementation in Patients With Chemotherapy-Related Anemia Without Iron Deficiency Treated With Darbepoetin Alfa
J. Clin. Oncol.,
April 1, 2008;
26(10):
1619 - 1625.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
S. S Shord, J.M. Hamilton Jr, and S. Cuellar
Parenteral iron with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for chemotherapy-induced anemia
Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice,
March 1, 2008;
14(1):
5 - 22.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. D. Rizzo, M. R. Somerfield, K. L. Hagerty, J. Seidenfeld, J. Bohlius, C. L. Bennett, D. F. Cella, B. Djulbegovic, M. J. Goode, A. A. Jakubowski, et al.
Use of Epoetin and Darbepoetin in Patients With Cancer: 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology/American Society of Hematology Clinical Practice Guideline Update
J. Clin. Oncol.,
January 1, 2008;
26(1):
132 - 149.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. W. Adamson
The Anemia of Inflammation/Malignancy: Mechanisms and Management
Hematology,
January 1, 2008;
2008(1):
159 - 165.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
J. D. Rizzo, M. R. Somerfield, K. L. Hagerty, J. Seidenfeld, J. Bohlius, C. L. Bennett, D. F. Cella, B. Djulbegovic, M. J. Goode, A. A. Jakubowski, et al.
Use of epoetin and darbepoetin in patients with cancer: 2007 American Society of Hematology/American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline update
Blood,
January 1, 2008;
111(1):
25 - 41.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
R. J. Muller and D. Baribeault
Extended-dosage-interval regimens of erythropoietic agents in chemotherapy-induced anemia
Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm.,
December 15, 2007;
64(24):
2547 - 2556.
[Abstract]
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|

|
 |

|
 |
 
M. Auerbach and D. H. Henry
Increased Importance of Intravenous Iron in Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia
J. Clin. Oncol.,
May 20, 2007;
25(15):
2145 - 2146.
[Full Text]
[PDF]
|
 |
|
Copyright © 2007 by AlphaMed Press.
|
|