Erythropoietin therapy after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation : a prospective randomized trial

We conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess hemoglobin (Hb) response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) therapy after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Patients (n=131) were randomized (1:1) between no treatment (control arm) or erythropoietin (Neorecormon®) at 500 U/kg/week (EPO arm).
Patients were also stratified in 3 cohorts: patients undergoing myeloablative HCT with rhEPO to start on day 28, patients given nonmyeloablative HCT (NMHCT) with rhEPO to start on day 28, and patients also given NMHCT but with rhEPO to start on day 0. The proportion of complete correctors (i.e. achieving Hb ≥ 13 g/dL) before day 126 post-transplant (primary endpoint) was 8.1% in the control arm (median not reached) and 63.1% in the EPO arm (median time 90 days) (p<0.001). Hb levels were higher and transfusions requirements decreased (p<0.001) in the EPO arm, but not during the first month in the nonmyeloablative cohort starting rhEPO on day 0.
There was no difference in rates of thrombo-embolic events or other complications between the 2 arms. This is the first randomized trial to demonstrate that rhEPO therapy hastens erythroid recovery and decreases transfusion requirements when started one month after allogeneic HCT. There was no benefit to start rhEPO earlier after NMHCT.