Prospective evaluation of epoetin-alfa (EA) vs epoetin-beta (EB) vs darbepoetin (DE) in anemic cancer patients (pts) receiving chemotherapy (CT): Early results of an independent observational survey by the Italian ReVERTO network
18548 Background: Direct comparison of EA vs EB vs DE has never been performed. In order to define the efficacy, impact on quality of life (QL) and pt’s preference, a prospective observational comparison of erythropoietic agents has been carried out. Methods: Anemic pts (hgb <11 gr/dL) scheduled to receive at least 3 cycles of CT were stratified according to 5 factors (platinum-based CT vs non-platinum; hgb ≤9,5 vs >9,5; PS ≤0–1 vs >1; previous CT vs upfront CT; and previous antianemic therapy vs not) and were autonomously assigned by 15 investigators to EA (3 times a week) or EB (3 times a week and only in pts receiving platinum-based CT) or DE (once a week) therapy. Efficacy by hgb level changes and transfusion needing was evaluated after each cycle of CT, QL by Fact-An questionnaire after 1 and 3 cycles of CT, and pt’s preference for standard vs weekly schedule at least once thereafter. Results: From 09/04 to 12/05 177 pts were recruited: 41%, 39% and 20% were assigned to DE, EA and EB, respectively. Severe anemia at baseline (≤9,5) was reported in 29% of pts, whereas 47% received platinum-based CT. Stratifying categories were well balanced among the treatment groups. Baseline mean hgb values were 9.7, 9.9, and 10 for DE, EA and EB, respectively. As of the general population, DE produced higher subsequent mean hgb increase in respect to EA and EB (Mean increase [gr/dL] for DE: 0.84, 1.58, 2.03; EA: 0.34, 0.84, 1.68; EB: 0.76, 1.54, 1.17). No difference was observed neither among pts receiving platinum-based CT, (mean increase: DE: 0.34, 1.76, 2.8; EA: 0.7, 1.27, 2.14; EB: 0.76, 1.54, 1.71) nor among pts with severe anemia at baseline (DE: 0.98, 2, 2.6; EA: 1.24, 1.94, 3.13; EB: 1.25, 2.25, 2.75). Transfusion needing ranged from 7% for DE to 3% for EB without any significant difference. To date 67% of pts completed at least one subsequent QL valuation, whereas 62% gave their preference for treatment schedule. Conclusions: Early results of our prospective analysis show that antianemic therapy with D is at least as effective as standard schedule of EA or EB. Efficacy of DE seems confirmed in pts with bad prognostic categories for anemia. Major data on QL and pt’s preference will be presented. No significant financial relationships to disclose.