[Effect of treatment with recombinant erythropoietin in patients with multiple myeloma and kidney failure]

Abstract

The efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has been confirmed in several clinical trials. We report our experience of r-HuEPO treatment in 5 myeloma patients with renal failure. The therapy with r-HuEPO (Eprex, Janssen-Cilag or Recormon, Boehringer, Mannheim) was started after 4-8 months from diagnosis, the drug was administered intravenously (in one patient subcutaneously after cessation of hemodialysis treatment), two or three times weekly. The initial doses were 4-12,000 units/week (mean 8,400). In all patients good response during the first month of therapy was observed. Median Hb and hematocrit increased from 70 g/l and 20.8% to 87 g/l and 26% after 1 month and to 105 g/l and 30.3% after 4-6 months, respectively. The need for blood transfusion decreased significantly--from 2.72 TU/month to 0.13 TU/month. WHO performance status and patients self-assessment of quality of live improved substantially after r-HuEPO. No serious adverse events, including hypertension and/or thromboembolic events were observed. In accordance with some previous reports we conclude r-HuEPO is effective and safe treatment in patients with MM and renal failure. Moreover, lower doses of growth factor could be effective in this particular group of patients.