Improvement in performance status after erythropoietin treatment in lung cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Purpose : A prospective Phase II trial was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of erythropoietin in improving or maintaining performance status as determined by the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in lung cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation (CH-RT). Methods and Materials : A total of 51 patients with lung cancer (11 with small-cell, limited stage and 40 with non-small-cell disease, 17 with Stage IIIA and 23 with Stage IIIB), who underwent three different concurrent CH-RT protocols were enrolled. Baseline Hb and KPS values were recorded, as were the nadir Hb and KPS values before concurrent CH-RT. The final Hb and KPS values were recorded the last week of concurrent CH-RT. An Hb level of ≤11 g/dL before concurrent CH-RT was required before receiving erythropoietin. Prognostic factors for KPS improvement and survival were assessed by univariate and multivariate studies. Results : Of the 51 patients, 47 (92.3%) were men (mean age 63.6 years, range 40–75). The median baseline KPS score was 80, and the mean baseline Hb was 12.2 ± 1.76 g/dL (range 9–16.9). The mean nadir and final Hb value was 9.98 ± 0.67 g/dL (range 8.6–11) and 11.33 ± 1.59 g/dL (range 6.9–14.4), respectively. A significant increase was seen in the Hb and KPS score ( p