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Post-Transplant Events

Early administration of recombinant erythropoietin improves hemoglobin recovery after reduced intensity conditioned allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 36, pages 901–906 (2005)Cite this article

Summary:

The use of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has been controversial after myeloablative allogeneic Stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Reduced intensity conditioning regimens (RIC) offer a novel approach that might translate into a different profile of erythropoietic recovery. We treated 20 consecutive patients with rHuEPO early after matched sibling RIC allo-SCT. Conditioning included fludarabine, busulfan and antithymocyte globulin. EPO treatment was analyzed in terms of toxicity, impact on the frequency of Red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) and kinetics of Hemoglobin recovery within the 60 days post-allo-SCT. Results were compared with 27 matched patients who did not receive rHuEPO. In the first 2 months after allo-SCT all patients receiving rHuEPO (100%) achieved an Hb level>11 g/dl at a median of 30 (15–35) days post-allo-SCT, as compared to only 63% of the patients not receiving rHuEPO (P=0.007) at a median of 35 (20–55) days (P=0.03). A total of 70% (95% CI, 50–90) of rHuEPO patients maintained an Hb over 11 g/dl in the second month as compared to only 19% (95% CI, 4–34) in the other group (P=0.0004). For patients receiving RBCT, the use of rHuEPO was associated with a trend towards reduced RBCT requirements. This pilot study suggests a potential benefit of early administration of rHuEPO after RIC allo-SCT on early erythropoietic recovery.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr G Ivanov (University of Cardiff, Cardiff, UK) for critical reading of the manuscript, the nursing staff for providing excellent care for our patients and thank the following physicians at the Institute Paoli-Calmettes for their important study contributions and dedicated patient care: AC Braud, A Charbonnier, JM Schiano de Collela, GL Damaj, JA Gastaut, AM Stoppa and F Viret.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unit of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille Cedex, France

    V Ivanov, C Faucher, M Mohty, K Bilger & D Blaise

  2. Department of Hematology, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille Cedex, France

    V Ivanov, C Faucher, M Mohty, K Bilger, N Vey, R Bouabdallah & D Blaise

  3. Cellular Therapy Centre, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille Cedex, France

    P Ladaique & C Chabannon

  4. Department of Biology, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille Cedex, France

    D Sainty & C Arnoulet

  5. Ambulatory Department, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille Cedex, France

    J Camerlo

  6. Department of Oncology, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille Cedex, France

    P Viens & D Maraninchi

  7. Biostatistics Unit, Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Marseille Cedex, France

    V J Bardou & B Esterni

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  1. V Ivanov
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Correspondence to D Blaise.

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Ivanov, V., Faucher, C., Mohty, M. et al. Early administration of recombinant erythropoietin improves hemoglobin recovery after reduced intensity conditioned allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 36, 901–906 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705152

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705152

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