Zusammenfassung
Fragestellung: Die Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit von Epoetin beta (NeoRecormon®) wurde an einem breit gestreuten Kollektiv anämischer Tumorpatienten untersucht. Methoden: Im Rahmen einer Anwendungsbeobachtung erfassten wir systematisch die routinemäßige Therapie mit Epoetin beta, die Tumortherapie, Begleittherapien, Laborparameter unter besonderer Ausrichtung auf das rote Blutbild, den Transfusionsbedarf sowie Aspekte der Lebensqualität über einen Zeitraum von maximal 12 Monaten. Ergebnisse: 196 Patienten mit verschiedenen Malignomen (überwiegend multiplen Myelomen, Mamma- und Ovarialkarzinomen) wurden im Median 3,6 Monate mit Epoetin beta behandelt und dokumentiert. In dem Subkollektiv von 115 Patienten, bei denen der Verlauf nicht durch begleitende Transfusionen beeinflusst wurde, nahm der mediane Hämoglobinwert während der Therapie um 1,9 g/dl zu. Gleichzeitig verbesserte sich die Lebensqualität der Patienten, erfasst mit dem FACIT-Fatigue-Bogen, deutlich. Nur bei vier Patienten (2 %) wurden unerwünschte Ereignisse beobachtet, bei denen ein Zusammenhang mit Erythropoetin nicht ausgeschlossen werden konnte. Schlussfolgerung: Die in verschiedenen kontrollierten klinischen Studien beschriebenen positiven Effekte von Epoetin beta auf die Verminderung des Transfusionsbedarfs, die Steigerung der Hämoglobinkonzentration sowie die Verbesserung der Lebensqualität konnte die Anwendungsbeobachtung bestätigen. Zudem zeigte der ambulante Einsatz unter Praxisbedingungen, dass die Therapie mit Epoetin beta sehr gut verträglich und sicher durchführbar ist.
Abstract
Purpose: To examine efficacy and safety of Epoetin beta (NeoRecormon®) administered to a broad population of patients with tumour-related anaemia. Methods: Within the framework of this pharmacovigilance study, data on routine use of Epoetin beta, antineoplastic therapy, concomitant medication, laboratory parameters with special focus on red blood cells, transfusion requirement as well as aspects of quality of life were collected during a period of up to 12 months. Results: 196 patients suffering from a variety of malignancies (predominantly multiple myelomas, breast and ovarian cancer) had a documented treatment with Epoetin beta for a median of 3.6 months. Among a subgroup of 115 patients, in which the course of the investigation was not affected by simultaneous blood transfusions, median haemoglobin increased by 1.9 g/dl during the growth factor therapy. In parallel, the quality of life of the patients (recorded by means of the FACIT-fatigue questionnaire) improved distinctly. Adverse events, in which a causal relationship to the study drug could not be excluded definitely, were reported in four cases only (2 %). Conclusion: The beneficial effects of Epoetin beta treatment on transfusion requirement, haemoglobin levels and quality of life, proven in a number of controlled clinical trials, were confirmed in this surveillance study. Moreover, the growth factor therapy is characterised by excellent tolerability and feasibility without major complications.
Schlüsselwörter
Anämie - Erythropoetin - Epoetin beta - Hämoglobin - Fatigue - Anwendungsbeobachtung
Key words
Anaemia - erythropoietin - epoetin beta - haemoglobin - fatigue - pharmacovigilance study
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PD Dr. C. Oberhoff
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