Intravenous iron improves efficacy and results in substantial savings in cost for patients receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) for chemotherapy-induced anemia

20664 Background: Annually approximately 800,000 patients receiving chemotherapy experience anemia. Of these approximately 380,000 are treated with ESAs, and many require transfusions. We conducted a retrospective review of anemia management in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in an oncology practice in Maryland to assess the effectiveness of low molecular weight (LMW) iron dextran in reducing ESA exposure, cost of treatment, and decreasing transfusions. Methods: Living patients who recently received IV iron were screened for inclusion criteria: anemic, diagnosis of cancer <3 years prior, received chemotherapy, and ≥1 dose IV iron, with data for ≥12-weeks from first dose. Data were analyzed and compared to pooled transfusion rates from phase III epoetin trials and to published per patient per week costs of ESA and oral/no iron. Results: Forty patients met inclusion criteria: 58% received platinum-containing chemotherapy, most common cancer diagnoses were lung (38%) and breast (28%). Fifteen percent ...