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news.Amgen has reported promising final results from a phase II study evaluating Aranesp administered in the treatment of anemia of cancer.
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In the study patients receiving Aranesp were nearly three times more likely to achieve a hematopoietic response than patients receiving a placebo.
“Patients with cancer who are not receiving chemotherapy or myelosuppressive radiotherapy may have infrequent clinic visits,” said David Gordon, clinical professor, University of Texas Health Science, and the study’s lead investigator.
“This study evaluated the effectiveness of extended dosing and the results suggest that this may be a potential treatment option for such patients.”
Researchers reported results for 218 patients treated with Aranesp or placebo for up to 17 weeks. The study’s primary endpoint was the percentage of patients with a hematopoietic response. 69% of Aranesp-treated patients had a hematopoietic response versus 24% in the placebo group.
Currently, there are no FDA-approved treatments for chronic anemia of cancer, which is caused by the cancer itself and is unrelated to chemotherapy.