Ovarian Cancer News

Ovarian Cancer News
Aranesp® and Epoetin Alfa Do Not Increase Blood Clots in Ovarian CancerResearchers from the University of North Carolina have reported that theuse of Aranesp® (darbepoetin alfa) or epoetin alfa (Procrit® or Epogen®) does not appear to increase the risk of developing medical complications due to blood clots in patients with ovarian cancer who have chemotherapy-induced anemia. The details of this study appeared in the May 2007 issue of Gynecologic Oncology.Aranesp and Procrit are routinely used to correct chemotherapy induced anemia and prevent blood transfusions. However, some studies have suggested that patients receiving these drugs have an increased incidence of thromboembolism.The current study included data from 364 women diagnosed with ovarian or peritoneal cancer. The study included over 10 years of data from women with chemotherapy-induced anemia; 90 women received either Aranesp or epoetin alfa, and 253 did not.The incidence of blood clots in deep veins was 6.7% in the group that received either Aranesp or epoetin alfa and 5.1% in the group that did not receive treatment for anemia; these findings did not reach statistical significance.The researchers concluded that treatment with Aranesp or epoetin alfa does not increase the risk of blood clots occurring in deep veins among patients with ovarian or peritoneal cancers who have chemotherapy-induced anemia. They stated, “A randomized trial is needed to further explore this issue and to detail the safety and efficacy of these agents in patients with various other cancers.”Comments: This was a relatively small study that probably did not have the power to detect small differences between treated and untreated groups.Reference: Westin S, Skinner E, Funk M, et al. Incidence of symptomatic deep venous thrombosis with epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa treatment of anemia in patients with ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer. Gynecologic Oncology.