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Pilot Study of Epoetin Alfa for Patients Having Abdominal or Pelvic Surgery for Cancer

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Anemia
Interventions
Drug: Epoetin Alfa group
Other: Placebo group
Registration Number
NCT00294203
Lead Sponsor
University of Florida
Brief Summary

This pilot study is looking at how well epoetin alfa, given in the immediate post-operative period, works in reducing anemia and the need for transfusions.

Detailed Description

This is a pilot, single center, prospective, double blinded, randomized study comparing epoetin alfa versus placebo. Eligible patients will just have undergone a major abdominal operation for malignancy (esophagectomy, gastrectomy, partial hepatectomy, partial pancreatectomy, or low anterior resection of rectum) and have a post-operative hemoglobin greater than 8 g/dL and less than 11 g/dL on post-operative day #1. On post-operative day #1 patients enrolled in the study will be randomized to receive either 40,000 units of epoetin alfa or placebo. On post-operative day #8, the patients will receive an additional dose of epoetin alfa or placebo (depending on randomization assignment and Hgb level). Hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocyte count, reticulocyte hemoglobin, and immature reticulocyte count will be measured on days 1, 4, 8, and once between post-operative days 20 and 30. Pre-operatively and between post-operative days 20 and 30 patients will complete a quality of live assessment tool (FACT-An) to assess their fatigue related to anemia.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients undergoing esophagectomy, gastrectomy, partial pancreatectomy, hepatic resection, or low anterior resection of rectum for malignancy
  • Patients with hemoglobin greater than 8 and less than 11 g/dL on post-operative day #1.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients receiving red blood cell transfusion within the first twelve hours post-operatively.
  • Patients receiving epoetin-stimulating proteins within 30 days prior to the operation.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Epoetin Alfa groupEpoetin Alfa groupPatients enrolled in the study will be randomized to receive either 40,000 units of epoetin alfa on day 1 and day 8. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocyte count, reticulocyte hemoglobin, and immature reticulocyte count will be measured on days 1, 4, 8, and once between post-operative days 20 and 30. Pre-operatively and between post-operative days 20 and 30 patients will complete a quality of live assessment tool (FACT-An) to assess their fatigue related to anemia.
Placebo groupPlacebo groupPatients enrolled in the study will be randomized to receive either 40,000 units of placebo (saline) on day 1 and day 8. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, reticulocyte count, reticulocyte hemoglobin, and immature reticulocyte count will be measured on days 1, 4, 8, and once between post-operative days 20 and 30. Pre-operatively and between post-operative days 20 and 30 patients will complete a quality of live assessment tool (FACT-An) to assess their fatigue related to anemia.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Post-operative hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, reticulocyte hemoglobin, and immature reticulocyte fraction measured on post-operative days 1, 4, 8, and between days 20 and 301,4,8 and between 20 and 30 days post op
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Post-operative quality of life related to anemia measured by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Anemia (FACT-An) between post-operative day 20 and 30 and post-operative transfusion requirementbetween 20 and 30 days postop

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Shands Hospital at the University of Florida

🇺🇸

Gainesville, Florida, United States

University of Florida Shands Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Gainesville, Florida, United States

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