Erythropoietic agents in chemotherapy-induced anemia: a review of recent therapeutic progress, issues, and concerns.

Erythropoietic agents are widely used to alleviate anemia in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. Over the past decade, the efficacy and safety of these agents in improving hemoglobin levels and reducing transfusion requirements in an oncology setting has been demonstrated in a number of clinical trials. The overall risk-benefit relationship of treatment with erythropoietic agents is favorable, and these agents represent a tremendous advance in anemia management. This review discusses prevalent issues and addresses key questions concerning the use of erythropoietic agents for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia.