Erythropoietin for cancer-associated malignant anemia: A meta-analysis

  • Authors:
    • Feng Zhao
    • Yijuan Wang
    • Lin Liu
    • Meiling Bian
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 8, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1254
  • Pages: 925-930
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Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of erythropoietin (EPO) for improving cancer‑associated malignant anemia. A search was performed for randomized clinical trials, conducted according to the Cochrane manual, using electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrails.gov up to 15 August 2015. A total of 6 eligible studies from 5 articles enrolling a total of 453 patients were entered into the current meta-analysis. Upon EPO treatment, there were significant differences in the change in hemoglobin (HB) levels compared with the placebo at short‑term follow‑up [mean difference (MD)=0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14‑1.18; I2=Not applicable; P=0.01) and long‑term follow‑up (MD=0.10; 95% CI, 0.02‑0.18; I2=Not applicable; P=0.01) under the random effects model. For changes in hematocrit (HCT) compared with the placebo, the results revealed there were significant differences at short‑term follow‑up (MD=2.47; 95% CI, 0.75‑4.19; I2=Not applicable; P=0.005) and long‑term follow‑up (MD=7.60; 95% CI, 6.15‑9.05; I2=Not applicable; P<0.00001) under the random effects model. Compared with the placebo in short‑term follow‑up under the fixed effects model with homogeneity, the result was a significant difference for the transfusion ratio [relative risk (RR)=0.81; 95% CI, 0.67‑ 0.97; I2=34%; P=0.02) and the transfusion requirements (MD=‑0.45; 95% CI, ‑0.92, 0.03; I2=6%; P=0.07). Funnel plots did not detect any publication bias. These results suggest that EPO was beneficial to alleviate cancer‑associated anemia and improve survival outcomes for patients with cancer.
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June-2017
Volume 6 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 2049-9450
Online ISSN:2049-9469

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Spandidos Publications style
Zhao F, Wang Y, Liu L and Bian M: Erythropoietin for cancer-associated malignant anemia: A meta-analysis. Mol Clin Oncol 6: 925-930, 2017
APA
Zhao, F., Wang, Y., Liu, L., & Bian, M. (2017). Erythropoietin for cancer-associated malignant anemia: A meta-analysis. Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 6, 925-930. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1254
MLA
Zhao, F., Wang, Y., Liu, L., Bian, M."Erythropoietin for cancer-associated malignant anemia: A meta-analysis". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 6.6 (2017): 925-930.
Chicago
Zhao, F., Wang, Y., Liu, L., Bian, M."Erythropoietin for cancer-associated malignant anemia: A meta-analysis". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 6, no. 6 (2017): 925-930. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1254