Benefits and harms of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for anemia related to cancer: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are used to treat anemia in patients with cancer. However, their safety and effectiveness is controversial. We did a systematic review of the clinical efficacy and harms of these agents in adults with anemia related to cancer or chemotherapy.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of published and unpublished randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using accepted methods for literature searches, article selection, data extraction and quality assessment. We included RCTs involving anemic adults with cancer. We compared the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents with nonuse and assessed clinical outcomes (all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events and hypertension, health-related quality of life, blood transfusions and tumour respon

SUBMITTER: Tonelli M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2683210 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature