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New Cancer and Treatment-Related Anemia Practice Guidelines Provide Direction on Dosing of Erythropoietic Agents

BRIDGEWATER, NJ -- July 2, 2003 -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has issued new Cancer and Treatment-Related Anemia Practice Guidelines for physicians that provide new insights on the management of cancer and treatment-related anemia. The guidelines cite the connection between hemoglobin levels and symptom management; highlight the importance of early intervention for treatment-related anemia in cancer patients with erythropoietic agents, such as Procrit® (Epoetin alfa); and provide treatment algorithms for the use of anti-anemia erythropoietic agents.

Chemotherapy-related anemia affects 71 percent of cancer patients. While it is a manageable and treatable side effect, it often is unrecognized and left untreated.

The NCCN Anemia Panel members made the following noteworthy recommendations for treating chemotherapy-related anemia:

· Treatment of anemia should be considered when patients' hemoglobin levels are less than 11 g/dL.
· Treatment recommendations include the use of Epoetin alfa 40,000 units once-weekly (QW) or 10,000 units three times per week (TIW) and darbepoetin alfa 2.25 mcg/kg weekly (QW).
· Physicians should evaluate patients' hemoglobin levels at week four of treatment with Epoetin alfa compared with week six with darbepoetin alfa.

The guidelines recommend that non-responders receive a 20,000 unit increase in Epoetin alfa to 60,000 units QW or 10,000 unit increase TIW to 20,000 units TIW. Non-responders with darbepoetin alfa should increase their dose up to 4.5 mcg/kg QW.

The NCCN Guidelines represent the standards for clinical oncology. The guidelines are established by a panel of leading clinical oncology experts and are based upon published clinical data.

The NCCN Cancer and Treatment-Related Anemia Practice Guidelines are available at www.nccn.org/physician_gls/f_guidelines.html <http://www.nccn.org/physician_gls/f_guidelines.html> under the Guidelines for Supportive Care section or by visiting www.Cancer.com <http://www.Cancer.com> and looking for the link to NCCN in the Side Effects section.

About Procrit

Procrit (Epoetin alfa) is indicated for chemotherapy-related anemia in patients with most types of cancer. For anemic cancer patients on chemotherapy, the recommended starting dose of Procrit for adults is 150 Units/kg subcutaneously TIW. Procrit provides a timely and significant response in hemoglobin (Hb) levels. Data shows that Procrit results in a 1 g/dL or greater Hb increase in four weeks, and approximately 2 g/dL Hb increase in as early as eight weeks.

Procrit is proven and safe. Procrit is available by prescription only and is injected by your doctor or nurse. In studies, diarrhea, edema, fever, vomiting, shortness of breath, tingling, and upper respiratory infection occurred more often with Procrit than placebo. Although high blood pressure has been noted rarely in cancer patients treated with Procrit, blood pressure should be monitored carefully, particularly in patients with a history of high blood pressure or heart disease.

For full U.S. Prescribing Information and additional information on Procrit and anemia, visit www.procrit.com/oncology/help/pi.html <http://www.procrit.com/oncology/help/pi.html>.


SOURCE: Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

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