Anaemia
A shortage of red blood cells or haemoglobin, causing tiredness and breathlessness. In cancer it comes from the disease itself (marrow infiltration, bleeding, inflammation), from chemotherapy suppressing the marrow, and from some targeted drugs.
Present in 30-90% of patients depending on cancer and treatment; a defining feature of myeloma, MDS and leukaemia, and the dose-limiting toxicity of PARP inhibitors (olaparib, talazoparib) and of some ADCs and radioligands. Managed by treating the cause, iron replacement, red cell transfusion (with restrictive thresholds) and, cautiously, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, which raise thrombosis risk and were linked to worse outcomes when used to high targets. Transfusion independence is an endpoint in MDS trials (luspatercept, imetelstat). Fatigue from anaemia is one of the most common and under-treated symptoms in oncology.
Pages like this
not linked directly; found by shared links- Key paperIMerge: imetelstat, a telomerase inhibitor, for transfusion-dependent lower-risk MDS after erythropoietin has failed
Shares Imetelstat, Luspatercept, Myelodysplastic syndromes / neoplasms (MDS).
- Key paperCOMMANDS: luspatercept versus epoetin alfa as first treatment for anaemia in lower-risk MDS needing transfusions
Shares Imetelstat, Luspatercept, Myelodysplastic syndromes / neoplasms (MDS).
- TermNeutropenia
- TechnologyGrowth factors: G-CSF and febrile neutropenia prevention
Shares Transfusion support and anaemia management, Myelodysplastic syndromes / neoplasms (MDS).
- CancerMyeloproliferative neoplasms (PV, ET, myelofibrosis)
Shares Imetelstat, Luspatercept, Transfusion support and anaemia management.
- TechnologyAllogeneic stem cell transplantation
Shares Transfusion support and anaemia management, Myelodysplastic syndromes / neoplasms (MDS).