Table 1.

Clinical trials on treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia with Darbepoetin alfa administered once weekly

Ref	n	Study design	Study population	Main results
(Glaspy et al 2002)	269	Phase II randomized, open label	Solid tumors; receiving chemotherapy; Hb ≤ 1.0 g/dL	Evident dose-response relationship for Hb response up to doses of 4.5 μg/kg
		Darbepoetin alfa: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.25, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.0 μg/kg/week versus Epoetin alfa: 150I U/kg 3 times/week (increase to 300 IU/kg) 12-week treatment
(Hedenus et al 2002)	66	Phase II randomized, double-blind	Lymphoproliferative malignancies receiving chemotherapy; Hb ≤ 11.0 g/dL	Proportion of patients achieving Hb response is higher with any dose of Darbepoetin alfa compared with placebo
		Darbepoetin alfa: 1.0, 2.25, and 4.5 μg/kg/week versus Placebo: 12-week treatment
(Vansteenkiste et al 2002)	314	Phase III randomized, double-blind	Lung cancer receiving platinum-based chemotherapy; Hb ≤ 11 g/dL	Significant reduction of incidence of transfusion and number of units transfused.
		Darbepoetin alfa: 2.25 μg/kg/week versus Placebo: 12-week treatment
(Hedenus et al 2003)	344	Phase III randomized, double-blind	Lymphoproliferative malignancies receiving chemotherapy; Hb ≤ 11 g/dL	Better hematopoietic response and QoL. Significant reduction of RBC transfusions and higher Hb response.
		Darbepoetin alfa: 2.25 μg/kg/week versus Placebo: 12-week treatment

Abbreviations: Hb, hemoglobin; RBC, red blood cells; QoL,quality of life.