Approaches to treating anemia in patients with malignancies. The 2007—2008 changes in Russian and International practice

Abstract

The paper deals with the treatment policy, including erythropoiesis-stimulating drugs (ESD), in anemic patients with malignancies. The use of ESD remains the basic recommended treatment option for anemia in cancer patients treated with cytostatics if the causes of anemia, which are eliminable by other means, are absent. Introduction of darbepoetin α makes ESD therapy more convenient for patients and medical staff.

Keywords

• anemia
• erythropoiesis-stimulating drugs
• darbepoetin α