Back to Journals » Cancer Management and Research » Volume 3

Clinical relevance and treatment of nonautoimmune anemia in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Authors Molica S, Mirabelli R, Molica M, Levato L, Mauro FR, Foà

Published 1 June 2011 Volume 2011:3 Pages 211—217

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/CMAR.S17470

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4



Stefano Molica1, Rosanna Mirabelli1, Matteo Molica1, Luciano Levato1, Francesca R Mauro2, Robin Foà2
1Department of Hematology and Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Pugliese-Ciaccio, Catanzaro; 2Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Division of Hematology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

Abstract: Anemia has an unfavorable impact on quality of life in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), increases the likelihood of receiving blood transfusions, and eventually has a negative impact on overall survival. Although discrepancies in perception of health-related quality of life between doctors and patients lead to the undertreatment of anemia, CLL patients undergoing chemotherapy who have a hemoglobin level <10 g/dL should be considered for treatment with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. For hemoglobin values of 10–12 g/dL, the role of performance status and comorbidities should not be underestimated. In this setting, the evaluation of physical fitness using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale should help physicians to identify those patients with hemoglobin levels of 10–12 g/dL who are suitable for therapy with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Finally, the increasing use of aggressive approaches to therapy should encourage physicians towards appropriate management of chemotherapy-induced anemia in CLL patients.

Keywords: anemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, erythropoietin

Creative Commons License © 2011 The Author(s). This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.