Early intervention with epoetin beta prevents severe anaemia in patients with solid tumours receiving platinum-based chemotherapy: results of the NeoPrevent study
Anaemia is common during platinum-based chemotherapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of epoetin beta in the prevention of severe anaemia in patients with solid tumours receiving concomitant platinum therapy. In this open-label, single-arm study, patients (n = 255) with solid tumours and haemoglobin (Hb) levels ≤ 13 g/dl (men) or ≤ 12 g/dl (women) received epoetin beta 450 IU/kg (∼30,000 IU) weekly until 4 weeks after their last platinum-based chemotherapy cycle. An anaemia prevention response [defined as patients with a Hb response (increase in Hb level > 1 g/dl from baseline) plus patients whose Hb levels remained ± 1 g/dl of baseline throughout the study] was observed in 234 patients (92%). Response to epoetin beta was rapid. Of the 159 patients achieving a Hb response, 139 (87%) had Hb levels > 1 g/dl of baseline within 4 weeks of treatment initiation. Mean Hb levels had improved from 10.8 ± 1.0 g/dl at baseline to 12.2 ± 1.8 g/dl by the final visit. Quality of life measured by linear analogue scale assessment significantly (P < 0.01) improved in patients achieving a Hb response (n = 159). Epoetin beta effectively prevents anaemia in most patients with solid tumours receiving concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy.