Epoetin Alfa in Treating Anemia in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Multiple Myeloma

Inclusion Criteria

• •DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Histologically confirmed multiple myeloma (MM)
• •Requiring active therapy for MM
• •* Planning to undergo chemotherapy for ≥ 3 months
• •Moderate anemia caused by MM and/or chemotherapy, as evidenced by hemoglobin ≤ 11.0 g/dL
• •No untreated anemia predominantly due to factors other than MM/chemotherapy (i.e., iron or folate deficiencies, hemolysis, HIV, or gastrointestinal bleeding)
• •PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• •Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-3
• •Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
• •Transferrin saturation ≥ 20%
• •Ferritin ≥ 100 ng/mL
• •Homocysteine normal (concurrent vitamin supplementation allowed)
• •Methylmalonic acid normal (concurrent vitamin supplementation allowed)
• •Renal function normal
• •No uncontrolled hypertension
• •No prior thrombotic events unless treated with appropriate prophylaxis
• •No known hypersensitivity to mammalian cell-derived products
• •No uncontrolled infection
• •No other malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• •Not pregnant or nursing
• •Negative pregnancy test
• •Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• •Weight \< 100 Kg
• •Patients with iron, folate, or vitamin B\_12 deficiency allowed provided conditions are corrected prior to study entry
• •Able to read and understand English at a 7th grade level
• •PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• •See Disease Characteristics
• •No prior total lymphoid, extensive abdominal, or inverted Y radiotherapy
• •Concurrent red blood cell transfusion allowed provided hemoglobin ≤ 7 g/dL AND patient is symptomatic
• •Concurrent vitamin supplementation allowed for cyanocobalamin (vitamin B\_12) or folate deficiency