Efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa administered every 3 weeks in children with solid tumours receiving chemotherapy

Chemotherapy – induced anemia is a significant problem for patients with cancer, causing fatique and reducing quality of life. Chronic anemia is characterized by decreased red blood cell (RBC) survival relative endogencus erythropoietin deficiency, blunted erythropoietic response. Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa given every 3 weeks in patients with chronic anemia of cancer. Patients and methods: From January to December 2007 22 paediatric patients, 10 boys and 12 girls, mean age 7,8 with solid tumors (6 rhabdomyosarcoma, 4 Ewing’s, 6 neuroblstoma, 2 osteosarcoma, 2 Wilms and 2 meduloblastoma) and chemotherapy – induced anemia (hemoglobin less than 11g/dl) received darbepoetin alfa, at doses of 4,5μg/kgr, administered by subcutaneous injection once every 3 weeks for 16 weeks Results: Response was achieved in 13 patients (59%).A haematopoietic response divined as an increase in haemoglobin level of 2g/dl without requiring blood transfusion. Treatment was well tolerated. No adverse reaction to Darbepoetin was observed. Conclusion: The findings from this study indicate that children withsolid tumors receiving chemotherapy can safety and effectively be treated with darbepoetin alfa administered at doses of 4,5μg/kg every 3 weeks