| Change in Quality of Life Score from Procrit Study, Based on Changes in Hemoglobin and Response to Chemotherapy (CR complete response, PR partial respsone, stable or progressive disease) |
|
Change in Hemoglobin other literature |
| Many patients with advanced bone cancer are on Aredia which is effective in delaying progressive bone mets. If the patient has significant bone lesions and is still ambulatory it may be worthwhile continuing the therapy assuming a life expectancy of several months. Many patients receiving chemotherapy have been on stem cell support and there is a tendency to continue such therapy (particularly Procrit.) The high cost of this therapy may make transfusion more cost effective particularly with a short life expectancy. The recnet study on quality of life with Procrti showed than in general patients who have an increase in their hemoglobin have improved quality of life, even with stable disease, but note that those with progressive disease (a common group in hospice) have NO improvement: |
| Change in Quality of Life Score from Procrit Study, Based on Changes in Hemoglobin and Response to Chemotherapy (CR complete response, PR partial respsone, stable or progressive disease) |
|
Change in Hemoglobin other literature |
| Efficacy of
pamidronate in reducing skeletal events in patients with advanced multiple myeloma.
Myeloma Aredia Study Group.Monthly infusions of pamidronate provide
significant protection against skeletal complications and improve the quality of life of
patients with stage III multiple myeloma. Berenson JR, N Engl J Med 1996 Feb 22;334(8):488-93
Delayed progression of bone metastases with pamidronate therapy in
breast cancer patients: a randomized, multicenter phase III trial.
We conclude that intravenous pamidronate is well tolerated, significantly prolongs time to progressive bone disease, and significantly improves bone pain in patients with osteolytic metastases from breast cancer. Conte. Ann Oncol 1994;5 Suppl 7:S41-4 |
| Quality-of-life benefit
in chemotherapy patients treated with epoetin alfa Epoetin alfa therapy was associated with improved quality-of-life parameters; these improvements correlated significantly with hemoglobin levels and were independent of tumor response. Provider-reported Karnofsky performance scores did not correlate with the improved quality-of-life changes. Epoetin alfa therapy was also associated with a significant increase in hemoglobin levels and decrease in transfusion use. Tumor type, chemotherapy agent/regimen, prior chemotherapy, baseline hemoglobin level, and baseline erythropoietin level were not predictive of a positive response to treatment. Demetri GD.J Clin Oncol 1998 Oct;16(10):3412-25 |
