First Report of a Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin after Allogeneic Blood Stem Cell Transplantation.

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) stimulates progenitor cells of erythropoiesis and increases erythrocyte production. This prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was designed to evaluate the use of erythropoietin versus red blood cell transfusions (RBC) to evade detrimental effects of anaemia during the first weeks after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (alloPBSCT). Between 4/2002 and 4/2004, 52 patients recieved either 10.000 units rHuEPO [Erypho (R) ] 3 times a week subcutaneously or placebo, stratified according to AB0-incompatibility. Applications were started after stem cell transfusion (day +1) and lasted up until in mean day +39.5 [range: 29–50] or until haematocrit (HC) levels reached 0.38. Both groups underwent identical supportive care and RBC transfusion policy. Need for transfusion was defined by HC