Prophylactic recombinant epoetin alfa markedly reduces the need for blood transfusion in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with biochemotherapy.

Abstract

Treatment of metastatic melanoma with biochemotherapy results in the rapid onset of anemia, requiring blood transfusion in 9 of 13 (69%) patients. Prophylactic use of weekly subcutaneous recombinant epoetin alfa eliminated the need for transfusion in all but 1 of 21 (5%) patients.