Darbepoetin alfa (Cresp) for Chemotherapy-induced Anemia: Study Highlights with Dr MV Chandrakanth

Anemia remains a pervasive yet often underappreciated complication among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, significantly impacting their quality of life and treatment outcomes. It is common in cancer patients, with 39% anemic at diagnosis and 13% developing it during treatment¹.

Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is managed using several therapeutic options aimed at correcting anemia, improving quality of life, and minimizing transfusion dependence.

A recent retrospective real-world study on 523 patients demonstrated that darbepoetin alfa (Cresp) significantly improves hemoglobin levels, reduces transfusion dependence, and is well-tolerated in Indian cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia.

This Indian study has been published in Frontiers in Oncology. Joining us today is the study's lead author, Dr. MV Chandrakanth, an eminent medical oncologist from Kolkata, who will shed light on:

1. The key findings of the study and their contribution to understanding chemotherapy-induced anemia management with darbepoetin alfa.
2. How these outcomes compare with existing evidence on darbepoetin alfa.
3. Efficacy of darbepoetin alfa across different patient subgroups.
4. Safety profile and adverse events associated with darbepoetin alfa.

Reference:

1) Kanuri G, Sawhney R, Varghese J, Britto M, Shet A. Iron Deficiency Anemia Coexists with Cancer Related Anemia and Adversely Impacts Quality of Life. PLoS One. 2016 Sep 28;11(9):e0163817. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163817. PMID: 27682226; PMCID: PMC5040456.