"Russian Research Institute of Hematology and Transfusiology", Russian Federal Medico-biological Agency, St.-Petersburg
Brief summary
The article presents the results efficiency application of preparations of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) to correct anemia in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). There were studied 90 patients with CML received Imatinib as the main treatment for 6-48 months. The anemia was revealed in 36 patients (40%), the degrees of anemia (by WHO classification) were variety: I degree was at 29 patients, II degree - at 5, III degree - at 1 and IV degree - at 1 patient. The sixteen patients received EPO preparations only to correct the anemia, and two patients (III-d and IV-th degrees) received red blood transfusions before EPO therapy. The period of EPO-therapy was mean 9.7+4.6 weeks. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated as hemoglobin (Hb) concentration achieving to 120 g/l or increasing above 20 g/l. The positive response was achieved at 13 (72.2%) out of 18 patients who received EPO preparations. The level of Hb concentration increased from 92.4+10.8 g/l to 124.1+20.8 g/l in the average. However the most patients decreased the hemoglobin level to the initial Hb concentration after abolition of EPO during 1-2 months. It was caused the toxicity effect of Imatinib on to erythropoiesis. Therefore these patients were continued (with period of break off) treatment of EPO preparations (for 16-18 months) till the Hb level increased up to 120 g/l. This approach to cure made sure taking the basic preparation Imatinib with non-stop. There was no progression of the main disease for the observation period in CML patients who received EPO preparations.