is it still up to date or is cancer-related anaemia controlled better with erythropoietic agents?
S. Tanneberger*, G. Melilli, E. Strocchi, C. Frenquelli and Q. F. Pannuti Fondazione ANT Italia, Via Curiel 7, 40134 Bologna, Italy *E-mail: stephan.tanneberger@antitalia.org Randomised clinical trials of erythropoietin have shown a statistically significant substantial reduction in blood transfusions overall, even though the response rate definitions include an increase in haemoglobin by 2 g, which is only achieved in 60% of patients. Increases in haemoglobin <2 g are achievable in more patients. The review by Cella et al. [1] strongly recommends the use of erythropoietic agents in anemic cancer patients as a means of raising their haemoglobin levels and consequently improving their quality of life . Anaemia is defined as a a multi-symptom syndrome with fatigue being the primary symptom , characterized by a haemoglobin level of <12 g/dl . However, not all groups of anaemic cancer patients may be appropriate candidates for erythropoietin treatment. Disadvantages of recombinant human er
