Epoetin alfa improves survival after chemoradiation for Stage III esophageal cancer: Final results of a prospective observational study
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, Hamburg (Germany)
- Department of General, Visceral, and Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital, Hamburg (Germany)
- Department of Radiotherapy, Siloah Hospital, Hannover (Germany)
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Hamburg (Germany)
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital Barmbek, Hamburg (Germany)
- Department of Visceral Surgery, General Hospital Barmbek, Hamburg (Germany)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, AZ (United States)
Purpose: This prospective, nonrandomized study evaluates the effectiveness of epoetin alfa to maintain the hemoglobin levels at 12 to14 g/dL (optimal range for tumor oxygenation) during chemoradiation for Stage III esophageal cancer and its impact on overall survival (OS), metastatic-free survival (MFS), and locoregional control (LC). Methods and Materials: Ninety-six patients were included. Forty-two patients received epoetin alfa (150 IU/kg, 3 times a week) during radiotherapy, which was started at hemoglobin less than 13 g/dL and stopped at 14 g/dL or higher. Hemoglobin levels were measured weekly during RT. Results: Both groups were balanced for age, sex, performance status, tumor length/location, histology, grading, T-stage/N-stage, chemotherapy, treatment schedule, and hemoglobin before RT. Median change of hemoglobin was +0.3 g/dL/wk with epoetin alfa and -0.5 g/dL/wk without epoetin alfa. At least 60% of hemoglobin levels were 12 to 14 g/dL in 64% and 17% of the patients, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients who received epoetin alfa had better OS (32% vs. 8% at 2 years, p = 0.009) and LC (67% vs. 15% at 2 years, p = 0.001). MFS was not significantly different (42% vs. 18% at 2 years, p = 0.09). Conclusions: The findings suggest that epoetin alfa when used to maintain the hemoglobin levels at 12 to 14 g/dL can improve OS and LC of Stage III esophageal cancer patients.
- OSTI ID:
- 20793505
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 65, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2005.12.019; PII: S0360-3016(05)03092-0; Copyright (c) 2006 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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