EFFECT OF RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN ON ANTICANCER DRUG-INDUCED ANEMIA

Summary. Anaemia was induced in rats with fluorouracil (5‐FU) or cisplatin (CDDP) and the mechanisms of anaemia induction were analysed. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu Epo) on these anticancer drug‐induced anaemias were investigated. In 5‐FU‐induced anaemia, marked serum erythropoietin (Epo) elevation was observed in inverse correlation to blood Hb concentration and Hb concentration rapidly recovered to normal levels. On the other hand, in CDDP‐induced anaemia, serum Epo elevation was modest and the lowered Hb concentration persisted longer. Treatment with rHu Epo significantly improved both anticancer drug‐induced anaemias but rHu Epo was more effective on CDDP‐induced anaemia. These results suggest that rHu Epo might be useful for the therapy of anaemia associated with anticancer chemotherapy. Copyright © 1990, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved