Recombinant human erythropoietin for treatment of anemia in persons with AIDS not receiving zidovudine

Because few data exist on the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) for anemia not induced by zidovudine (ZDV) in persons with AIDS, we analyzed a subset of 523 subjects not taking ZDV ('non-ZDV') who participated in an open-label EPO treatment program involving 1943 subjects. Non-ZDV subjects had a mean hematocrit of 27.3% on entry and their mean weekly EPO dose was 354-464 U/kg that was given for a mean of 17 weeks. EPO was well tolerated with an adverse event discontinuation rate of 2.3%. The mean hematocrit increased to 30.8% al week 6 and remained between 32 and 34% for the next 18 weeks. Subjects requiring one or more transfusion per 6-week period decreased from 43% before study entry to 14% for weeks 13-18 and 18% for weeks 19-24. These changes were comparable to those observed in the entire group of 1943 patients. We concluded that EPO was safe and as effective for anemia in persons with AIDS not taking ZDV as for those receiving it. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.