Results of darbepoetin alfa treatment of anaemia in chemotherapy-receiving breast cancer patients: A single-centre retrospective observational study

A retrospective observational study of the outcomes of darbepoetin alfa treatment for chemotherapy-induced anaemia in breast cancer patients was conducted. A group of 152 patients treated during 13 months in one oncology centre was assessed. Ninety-eight patients (64.5%) received perioperative chemotherapy, and 54 patients (35.5%) received palliative chemotherapy. The results of treatment with darbepoetin alfa were analysed by age ( < 65 vs. ≥ 65 years), the aim of chemotherapy (perioperative vs. palliative), and body mass index ( < 25 vs. 25–29 vs. 30 and more). The effectiveness of the therapy was estimated at 80.9% (95% CI: 74.7–87.2%). Significantly higher effectiveness of ESA was found in patients treated perioperatively compared to patients treated for metastatic breast cancer (85.7% vs. 72.2%, p = 0.043). There were no differences in the effectiveness of ESA depending on age and BMI. No serious ESA-related adverse events were observed.