Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin

Summary

Erythropoietin analogues with iron injections are recommended as a possible treatment for anaemia caused by cancer treatment only in:

• women receiving platinum-based chemotherapy for cancer of the ovaries who have a blood haemoglobin level of 8 g/100 ml or lower
• people who have very severe anaemia and cannot receive blood transfusions.

Healthcare professionals should not stop prescribing erythropoietin analogues for people who were already taking them when the guidance was issued. These people should be able to carry on taking erythropoietin analogues until they and their healthcare professionals decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.

Documents

For healthcare professionals

• TA142 Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin: guidance
• TA142 Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin: guidance (MS Word format)
• TA142 Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin: quick reference guide

For patients, carers and the public

• TA142 Analogau erythropoietin ar gyfer anemia a achosir gan driniaeth canser: deall canllawiau NICE (fformat MS Word)
• TA142 Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin: understanding NICE guidance
• TA142 Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin: understanding NICE guidance (MS Word format)

Background information

• NICE issues guidance on the use of erythropoietin analogues for anaemia induced by cancer treatment

Implementing this guidance

Any further information NICE has produced to help the NHS implement this guideline locally is linked to below:

• TA142 Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin: costing statement
• TA142 Anaemia (cancer-treatment induced) - erythropoietin (alpha and beta) and darbepoetin: audit support