A prospective, observational study describing the haematological response in patients undergoing chemotherapy treated by tri-weekly darbepoetin alfa for anaemia

AbstractObjective:This prospective, observational study investigated the haematological response to darbepoetin alfa (DA) administered every three weeks for the treatment of anaemia. Response was also assessed according to baseline characteristics including iron, folate and vitamin B12 status.Research design and methods:Anaemic adult patients with malignant non-myeloid cancer, starting or having already undergone chemotherapy received DA on day of inclusionand were followed up for up to 24 weeks. Concentration of haemoglobin (Hb), as well as iron, vitamin B12 and folate status where available, were recorded at inclusion, after a treatment period of 9 weeks and up to a maximum of 24 weeks or cessation of DA treatment, whichever was sooner.Main outcome measures:The main outcome measure assessed in this study was the percentage of patients reaching a Hb concentration of at least 11 g/dL at least once at any time during the study.Results:A total of 2912 patients were included. The mean Hb concentration increa...