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Epoetin alfa improves quality of life in patients with cancer

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 16:16 authored by Michael Jones, Brad Schenkel, Just Just, Lesley FallowfieldLesley Fallowfield
BACKGROUND: Anemia in patients with cancer causes fatigue, weakness, and impaired concentration, negatively impacting quality of life (QOL). In clinical trials involving patients with cancer who had varied characteristics, it has been shown that epoetin alfa treatment increased hemoglobin levels and improved QOL. A systematic review and metaanalysis of data from those trials was conducted to summarize existing knowledge on the role of epoetin alfa in improving QOL for anemic patients with cancer. METHODS: The Cochrane Library and other data bases were searched for published and unpublished, randomized/controlled and single-arm studies that included > or = 20 patients with cancer per arm, epoetin alfa treatment, and QOL assessment by Cancer Linear Assessment Score (CLAS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) scale, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale, and/or Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) scale. RESULTS: Among 11,459 patients from 23 trials, epoetin alfa and control cohorts were indistinguishable (with regard to demographic, clinical, QOL variables) at baseline. Epoetin alfa improved CLAS (20-25%), FACT-Fatigue (17%), and FACT-Anemia (12%) scores (P = 0.05). ECOG scores worsened for control cohorts (P = 0.05); epoetin alfa cohorts remained unchanged. Four of the SF-36 subscales, Physical Function, Role Physical, Vitality, and Social Function, improved with epoetin alfa (P = 0.05). Results adjusted for confounding factors remained consistent.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Cancer

ISSN

0008-543X

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons

Issue

8

Volume

101

Page range

1720-1732

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-04-23

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