Recombinant Human Erythropoietin for Patients with AIDS Treated with Zidovudine

Abstract Bone marrow suppression and anemia are frequent side effects of treatment of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with zidovudine (formerly azidothymidine [AZT]). We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of recombinant human erythropoietin (100 U per kilogram of body weight thrice weekly by intravenous bolus) in 63 patients with AIDS treated with zidovudine (29 in the erythropoietin group and 34 in the placebo group). Reductions in the number of units of red cells transfused and the number of patients given transfusions per month became apparent in the second and third months of the trial. The reductions were observed in patients with endogenous erythropoietin levels ≤500 IU per liter at base line, but not in patients whose levels were >500 IU per liter at the beginning of the study. Although the hematocrit and hemoglobin level were not used as the primary criteria of efficacy because the patients received transfusions when their physicians decided that ...