Archives of Hellenic Medicine

Last update:

07-Jul-2004

Arch Hellen Med, 20(3), May-June 2003, 281-285

ORIGINAL PAPER

Treatment of anemia with recombinant human erythropoietin administration
in patients with myelofibrosis

S. TSIARA, H. KAPSALI, G.A. DIMOS, A. CHAIDOS,
M. STOURA, L.K. BOURANTAS, E. TZOUVARA, K.L. BOURANTAS
Hematology Unit, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece

OBJECTIVE Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) was administered to 20 patients with myelofibrosis, 9 females and 11 males, with an age range from 45 to 81 years, in an effort to treat their anemia and reduce red blood cell transfusion requirements.

METHOD The EPO was administered in a dose of 10,000 IU three times weekly. The duration of treatment was 34 to 72 months for those who responded to treatment.

RESULTS Twelve of the 20 patients, 7 women and 5 men, responded to treatment and discontinued red blood cell transfusions. The patients who responded were mainly women, with low erythropoietin levels on enrolment, low or normal β₂-microglobulin levels and low requirements for red blood cell transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS None of the patients developed severe side effects or discontinued treatment.

Key words: Anemia, Erythropoietin, Myelofibrosis.