Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) in Clinical Oncology Scient
Anemia is a frequent complication of cancer and its treatment. A number of clinical studies shows that the impact of anemia is much greater than previously thought. Beyond clinical symptoms, anemia significantly impairs physical and metabolic functions as
- PDF / 76,533,802 Bytes
- 505 Pages / 481.89 x 691.654 pts Page_size
- 39 Downloads / 208 Views
~
M. R. Nowrousian (Ed.) Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) in Clinical Oncology Scientific and Clinical Aspects of Anemia in Cancer
Prof. Dr. med. M. R. Nowrousian Innere Klinik und Poliklinik (Tumorforschung), Westdeutsches Thmorzentrum Essen, Universitatsklinikum, Essen, Deutschland
This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically those of translation, reprinting, re-use of illustrations, broadcasting, reproduction by photocopying machines or similar means, and storage in data banks. Product Liability: The publisher can give no guarantee for all the information contained in this book. This does also refer to information about drug dosage and application thereof. In every individual case the respective user must check its accuracy by consulting other pharmaceutical literature. The use of registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. © 2002 Springer-VerlaglWien Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2002 Typesetting: SNP Best-set Typesetter Ltd., Hong Kong Printed on acid-free and chlorine-free bleached paper SPIN: 10797756
With 66 (partly coloured) Figures
ISBN-13: 978-3-7091-7660-3 e-ISBN-13: 978-3-7091-7658-0 DOl: 10.1007/978-3-7091-7658-0
Preface During the last decade, considerable insight has been gained into the pathogenic mechanisms of anemia in cancer and cancer treatment and its important role in the life of cancer patients and the course of their disease. Anemia is a frequent complication that not only presents a negative prognostic factor for the outcome of treatment in a variety of malignant diseases, but is also associated with enormous impacts on physical well-being and quality of life (QoL) of patients. Anemia may also be involved in the development of tumor resistance against radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Recent studies indicate a close relationship between anemia and tumor hypoxia, and show that the latter is a factor that significantly determines the outcome of radiotherapy. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that hypoxia stimulates angiogenesis within the tumor and contributes to a selection of a more malignant phenotype of tumor cells and a reduced sensitivity of these cells to irradiation and chemotherapy. These findings and the consequences that arise from anemia for metabolic and organ functions as well as QoL identify anemia as a much more serious problem for cancer patients than previously considered. Treatment of anemia has been traditionally red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, which, however, only transiently increases the hemoglobin level and is of minimal effect on QoL. It is also associated with a number of side effects and risks, such as febrile and allergic reactions, alloimmunization, transmission of infections, iron overload and suppression of cellular immunity that could be particularly harmf
