Aranesp Reduces Transfusions in SCLC Patients

THOUSAND OAKS, California—Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa, Amgen) significantly reduced red blood cell (RBC) transfusions and did not affect overall or progression-free survival, compared with placebo, in a randomized, double-blind, phase III trial in 600 patients with previously untreated extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer receiving platinum-based chemotherapy. Although the study (with a target hemoglobin of 13 g/dL) failed to meet its endpoint of increased survival, the results reinforced its benefit in patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia, Amgen said in a news release. Patients received either Aranesp 300 &mgr;g or placebo once weekly for 4 weeks and then once every 3 weeks for the rest of the 24 weeks of treatment.

The Aranesp-treated patients had a significant change in hemoglobin from baseline and a significantly lower need for RBC transfusions (HR 0.40).