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Annals of Oncology Advance Access originally published online on April 7, 2005
Annals of Oncology 2005 16(5):817-824; doi:10.1093/annonc/mdi161
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© 2005 European Society for Medical Oncology

Management of anaemia in patients with breast cancer: role of epoetin

R. C. Leonard1,*, M. Untch2 and F. Von Koch2

1 South West Wales Cancer Institute, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK; 2 Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, München, Germany

* Correspondence to: Professor R. C. Leonard, South West Wales Cancer Institute, Singleton Hospital, Swansea, UK. Tel: +44-1792-285299; Fax: +44-1792-285201; Email: r.c.f.leonard{at}swansea.ac.uk

Many patients with breast cancer suffer from anaemia, as a consequence of the disease itself or its treatment. Anaemia has a negative impact on treatment outcome and overall survival, and affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cancer. Previously, cancer-related anaemia was treated with blood transfusion, but this is inconvenient, offers only temporary improvement in haemoglobin (Hb) level and is associated with several risks. Consequently, blood transfusion is usually reserved for patients with severe anaemia (Hb levels <8 g/dl). Recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin) is an effective and convenient treatment for cancer-related anaemia without the risks associated with red blood cell transfusion. Epoetin therapy effectively increases Hb levels, thereby reducing the need for emergency blood transfusion and improving the QoL of patients with anaemia and breast cancer. Epoetin beta is also effective for the prevention of anaemia and reduction of transfusion requirements in patients with a high risk of developing anaemia during chemotherapy. With the increased use of dose-intensified chemotherapy in an attempt to improve response rates, administration of epoetin to prevent anaemia could potentially benefit many patients with breast cancer.

Key words: anaemia, anaemia prevention, breast cancer, dose-dense chemotherapy, erythropoietin


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