Adjuvant chemotherapy with or without darbepoetin in node-positive breast cancer: a safety analysis from the phase III ARA plus trial

Abstract #4100 Background: Modern adjuvant chemotherapy regimens may cause considerable anemia. Epoetins are currently used to reduce chemotherapy-associated anemia (CAA) rates in a variety of solid tumors. The discussion of potential effects on survival rates is highly controversial. The ARA Plus trial is a prospective randomized trial comparing adjuvant chemotherapy +- darbepoetin (ARA+ / ARA-) in node-positive breast cancer patients. Methods: Inclusions criteria were: age of 18 to 65 years, positive lymph nodes (LN) after resection of >10 LN, free margins , M0 status confirmed by conventional staging. At the discretion of the investigating centre patients could receive 6 cycles T75A50C500 or 6 cycles F500E100C500) q3w. They were randomized to darbepoetin (ARA+) 500μg q3w until completion of radiotherapy or to standard supportive care. Darbepoetin was started at Hb level Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4100.