0300-7995 Vol. 22, No. , 2006, 731–737 doi:10.1185/030079906X100096
All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted
recommendationsIvor Cavill a, Michael Auerbach b, George R. Bailie c, Peter Barrett-Lee d, Yves Beguin e, Peter Kaltwasser f, Tim Littlewood g, Iain C Macdougall h and Keith Wilson ia Medical School, Cardiff University, UKb Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC, USAc Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, New York, USAd Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, UKe University of Liège, Belgiumf J. W. Goethe Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germanyg John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UKh King’s College Hospital, London, UKi Welsh Blood Service, Cardiff, UKAddress for correspondence: Dr Ivor Cavill, Department of Haematology, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF4 4XW. Tel./Fax: +44 1291 641615; email: icavill@ukanaemia.co.uk Key words: Anaemia – Chronic disease – Erythropoiesis – Iron Background: The incidence of anaemia is high in
process is common to all chronic anaemias. The
many chronic conditions, yet it often receives little
aim of anaemia management should be to restore
patient functionality and quality of life by restoring
Scope/methods: A panel of international experts effective red cell production. Blood transfusion can
with experience in haematology, nephrology,
elevate haemoglobin concentration in the short
term but does nothing to address the underlying
convened to prepare strategic guidelines. A
disorder; red cell transfusion is, therefore, not
focused literature search was conducted after
an appropriate treatment for chronic anaemia.
key issues had been identified. A series of
Patients with anaemia of chronic disease may
recommendations was agreed, backed, wherever
benefit from iron therapy and/or erythropoiesis
possible, by published evidence which is included
stimulating agents (ESAs). Intravenous iron
should be considered since this can be given
Recommendations: Anaemia is a critical issue
safely to patients with chronic diseases while
for patients with chronic diseases. Healthcare
intramuscular iron causes unacceptable adverse
professionals need to recognise that anaemia
effects and oral iron has limited efficacy in
is a frequent companion of cancer and chronic
conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and heart
Conclusion: The management of anaemia
failure. It reduces patients’ quality of life and can
calls for the development of a specialist service
increase morbidity and mortality. Anaemia should
together with education of all healthcare
be considered as a disordered process in which
professionals and transfer of skills from areas of
the rate of red cell production fails to match the
good practice. Improvement in the management
rate of destruction which leads eventually to a
of anaemia requires a fundamental change of
reduction in haemoglobin concentration; this
attitude from healthcare professionals. Introduction
answered. In developing the recommendations it was therefore necessary to extrapolate findings between
Anaemia is common in patients with chronic condi
different patient groups since the bulk of current
tions of inflammation, infection or malignancy. Despite
knowledge stems from the experience of the use of
being the commonest side effect of cancer and cancer
erythropoietic and iron therapies in renal medicine.
chemotherapy, and often having a profound effect on
The recommendations are, therefore, evidencebased
patients’ quality of life, anaemia remains an orphan
as far as possible but, when evidence is lacking, they are
issue. While lip service is paid by many clinicians to
based on clinical experience. The underlying evidence
the importance of anaemia, it is often overlooked and
is presented in the discussion/annotations section.
undertreated. UK Anaemia called a meeting of experts from Europe and the United States of America with experience in haematology, nephrology, oncology,
Discussion and annotations
rheumatology and pharmacy to address these issues in
1. Anaemia is a critical issue for patients,
May 2005. The aim was to develop recommendations
especially those with chronic diseases.
on the approach to, and the management of, anaemia
It can reduce patients’ quality of life and
based on published evidence and practical experience. increase morbidity and mortality
The recommendations from the meeting take the
• Anaemia can significantly impair quality of life
form of a broad strategy. This should form the basis
and is associated with increased morbidity and
for more specific and detailed treatment guidelines
mortality1,2. In cancer patients, fatigue has a
which can be developed to meet the needs of different specialties and regions. Therapies are discussed
greater impact on daily life than pain3.
generically, as the availability of treatments and
Anaemia and its associated symptoms affect not
diagnostic techniques vary between countries.
only patients with chronic diseases but also those
A focused literature search was performed after
caring for and living with them. A study from the
key issues had been identified. Publications were
United States has shown that cancer patients with
identified from Medline and from the reference lists
anaemia require more care than those without
of retrieved documents in addition to those identified
anaemia and this has a direct impact on their
by panel members. However, it became clear that the
evidence base is incomplete and that many important
• Untreated anaemia can affect economic product
questions about anaemia have not been raised, let alone
ivity, which will also affect patients’ families5,6. Key Issues and Strategic Recommendations
• Anaemia is a critical issue for patients, especially those with chronic diseases. It can reduce patients’ quality
of life and increase morbidity and mortality.
• Anaemia is a frequent companion of cancer and chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Healthcare professionals too often accept anaemia and its consequences with equanimity – it is the patient
• There is a need to raise awareness of anaemia, its detection, investigation and management among
healthcare professionals who treat patients with chronic diseases.
• Anaemia should be considered as a disordered process in which the rate of red cell production fails to match
the rate of destruction, which eventually leads to a reduction in haemoglobin concentration – whatever the causation. This process is common to all chronic anaemias.
• The aim of anaemia management should be to restore patient functionality and quality of life, and to
reduce morbidity and mortality, by restoring effective red cell production.
• Blood transfusion can elevate haemoglobin concentration in the short term but does nothing to address the
underlying disorder. Red cell transfusion is not an appropriate treatment for chronic anaemia.
• Patients with anaemia of chronic disease may benefit from iron therapy and/or erythropoiesis stimulating
• Oral iron causes sideeffects, is associated with drug–drug interactions, and has limited efficacy in chronic
• Intramuscular iron is associated with unacceptable adverse effects and should not be given.
• Intravenous (iv) iron can be given safely to patients with chronic diseases.
• The management of anaemia calls for the development of a specialist service, education of all healthcare
professionals and transfer of skills from areas of good practice.
732 Iron and the anaemia of chronic disease: a review and strategic recommendations
2006 LIBRAPhARM LTd – Curr Med Res Opin 2006; 22()
• People with anaemia may not have access to
• A survey in the United States found that anaemia
information about their condition and may, there
prevalence increased with age and that more than
fore, be unaware of the treatment possibilities.
20% of those aged over 85 years were anaemic18.
• The longterm and widespread undertreatment
• Patients with chronic infection, inflammation or
of chemotherapyinduced anaemia may have
malignancy may also be prone to anaemia because
contributed to the misconception that anaemia
of poor dietary intake and poor absorption of
is an unavoidable consequence of cancer and its
• Until recently there have been no organisations 3. Healthcare professionals too often accept
representing people with anaemia. This contrasts
anaemia and its consequences with equa
with the rise of successful advocacy groups such
nimity – it is the patient who pays the price
as those for breast cancer which have lobbied
• Clinicians often underestimate the effects of anaemia
effectively for better and more patientcentred care.
on patients. However, studies have shown that cancer
• The World Health Organization estimates that
patients are often more concerned by fatigue than by
‘as many as 4–5 billion people, 66–80% of the
world’s population, may be iron deficient; 2 billion people – over 30% of the world’s population – are anaemic’
4. There is a need to raise awareness of anaemia, its detection, investigation and management among healthcare profession2. Anaemia is a frequent companion of als who treat patients with chronic diseasescancer and chronic conditions such as
• In the assessment of anaemia, many clinicians
rely on one or two measurements taken from the
• The recent European Cancer Anaemia Survey
blood count and chemistry. The selection of these
(ECAS), which involved over 15 000 patients in
measurements is often determined by history and
24 countries, found that about 40% of adult cancer
patients had haemoglobin (Hb) concentration
• Haemoglobin concentration is the key measure
< 12 g/dL at the start of the survey. The incidence
ment, but it is a late reflection of the anaemic
of anaemia rose to around 60% over the course of
process, and in some circumstances, chiefly
the survey9. A literature review has suggested that
pregnancy, may not reflect changes in the red cell
30–90% of patients with cancer are anaemic10.
mass. In some cultures, the haematocrit is used as
• Similarly, a Dutch study has found that about
a surrogate for measuring Hb concentration.
60% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• The productivity of the erythroid marrow can
be assessed reliably using the reticulocyte count.
• Longterm use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
The reticulocyte percentage can give an inverse
drugs (NSAIDs) can cause gastrointestinal blood
reflection of red cell life span (when it is > 2.5%
loss resulting in irondeficiency anaemia13.
• Patients with chronic inflammatory conditions
• The adequacy of iron supply to the developing
such as RA may also have inflammationrelated
erythron can be assessed from a variety of
parameters, the most direct of which is the MCH
• Renal impairment can cause anaemia; Hb concen
(mean cell Hb). This is available as part of every
trations are correlated with the glomerular filtration
full (complete) blood count but is rarely used.
rate. The incidence of anaemia is relatively low
MCH is, however, a late reflection of the adequacy
in people with mild renal impairment but rises
of iron supply. Mean cell volume (MCV) may
to over 90% in those receiving dialysis (if left
mirror changes in MCH but can be confounded
untreated) and is independently associated with
by a variety of factors. A more immediate measure
of iron supply is provided by the reticulocyte Hb
• Anaemia can be both a cause and a consequence
content while the percentage of hypochromic red
of chronic heart failure (CHF) and can exacerbate
cells offers an intermediate assessment (where
symptoms of breathlessness and fatigue15. Falling
haemoglobin concentrations in patients with CHF
• The adequacy of iron in reticuloendothelial iron
have been associated with increased morbidity
‘stores’ can be assessed by measuring serum
ferritin levels, but again there are a number of
• In patients with HIV, anaemia is a predictor
confounding factors. Ferritin is an acute phase
of progression to AIDS and is independently
reactant so this measure may be unreliable in
associated with an increased risk of death17.
sick patients. Moreover, the presence of iron in
2006 LIBRAPhARM LTd – Curr Med Res Opin 2006; 22()
Iron and the anaemia of chronic disease: a review and strategic recommendations Cavill et al. 733
these ‘stores’ does not mean it is available for
6. The aim of anaemia management
erythropoiesis. The flow of iron from these ‘stores’
should be to restore patient functionality
to the marrow may be assessed by measurement
and quality of life, and to reduce morbidity
of serum iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity
and mortality, by restoring effective red cell
(TIBC) but this measurement is biologically labile
• Several studies in patients with cancer, renal
• In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to
failure or inflammatory diseases have shown
assess the stimulus to the marrow by measuring
a correlation between correcting anaemia and
serum EPO or the degree of erythroid inhibition by
an indicator of inflammation such as erythrocyte
• Anaemia is often diagnosed and treated by
sedimentation rate (ESR) or Creactive protein
reference to the Hb concentration, but this is not
directly related to what patients feel. Clinicians should, therefore, concentrate on preventing
5. Anaemia should be considered as a
and alleviating the associated symptoms such as
disordered process in which the rate of
fatigue and breathlessness which can markedly
red cell production fails to match the rate
impair functionality and lead to a vicious spiral of
of destruction which eventually leads to a
reduced physical and social activity. reduction in haemoglobin concentration – whatever the causation. This process is 7. Blood transfusion can elevate common to all chronic anaemiashaemoglobin concentration in the short term
• The red cell mass is maintained at a constant level but does nothing to address the underlying
by the balance of red cell production and destruc
disorder. Red cell transfusion is not an
tion. Changes in this balance will be manifest
appropriate treatment for chronic anaemia
as a change in Hb concentration. However, the
• Transfusion of allogeneic blood or blood products
relatively slow turnover of mature red cells means
is a logical approach to acute situations of blood
that this process has a high degree of inertia and a
loss such as trauma or surgery when patients
fall in Hb concentration is a very late reflection of
require haemodynamic support. However, in cases
of chronic inflammation, infection or malignancy,
• The making of red cells and the control of red cell
or when anaemia is caused iatrogenically by
production is fundamentally the same whatever
myelosuppression, the administration of blood or
the condition. In chronic conditions associated with
blood products has no effect on the disordered
infection, inflammation and malignancy, erythro
process and is, therefore, inappropriate.
poiesis will be suppressed by a common process
• The benefits of red blood cell transfusions have
involving the inflammatory cytokines. These counter
never been properly assessed, and their legendary
the proerythropoietic activity of erythropoietin20.
lifesaving properties have never been tested.
A low Hb concentration is a consequence of a
Indeed, some studies have shown that transfusion
disordered erythropoietic process. Anaemia may
is associated with a poorer prognosis in cancer
be predicted from measures of erythropoietic
activity by the reticulocyte count before Hb
• Clinical trials in which anaemic patients were
concentrations reach traditional levels at which
randomised to receive an ESA or standard
• A low reticulocyte count (e.g. < 30 × 109/L), or
treatment (the control group) which consisted
falling Hb concentration should, therefore, be
of blood transfusion have shown significant
the stimulus to correct the disorder and prevent
differences in quality of life between the ESA
and control group. Patients in the control group
• Use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs)
received significantly more blood transfusions
without adequate iron support can create a
than those receiving an ESA yet tended to have a
Functional Iron Deficiency (FID) in which, although
total iron storage levels may be normal, insufficient
• Clinical experience also suggests that transfusion
iron is transported to the bone marrow to support
dependent patients may have a poor quality of
erythropoiesis22. FID is suggested by MCH < 28,
life despite maintaining Hb concentrations at
reticulocyte Hb content < 29, hypochromic red
acceptable levels. This contrasts with patients
cells > 5–10%; the transferrin saturation may be
treated with ESAs supported with intravenous
< 20%. Measurement of serum ferritin alone cannot
(iv) iron who often experience a noticeable
indicate FID, since this can occur when the serum
improvement in quality of life almost immediately
ferritin concentration is normal or even high.
after starting treatment for their anaemia.
734 Iron and the anaemia of chronic disease: a review and strategic recommendations
2006 LIBRAPhARM LTd – Curr Med Res Opin 2006; 22()
8. Patients with anaemia of chronic disease
a significantly different response from those
may benefit from iron therapy and/or
receiving no iron in terms of Hb and ferritin
erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs)
• A number of ESAs have now been licensed for
• Oral iron has several disadvantages including poor
use in various countries, including darbepoetin
compliance and a high incidence of adverse gastro
intestinal effects (nausea, vomiting, constipation,
erythropoietin. The range of iv iron preparations
bloating and bleeding) and a high potential for
available to clinicians has also increased recently
with the introduction of iron sucrose and sodium
• Oral iron should, therefore, be avoided.
ferric gluconate in addition to iron dextran.
• In most countries, ESAs are used most extensively 10. Intramuscular (im) iron is associated with
in renal dialysis patients, although their use in
unacceptable adverse effects and should
oncology is increasing, especially in patients
receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy28. The
• Intramuscular iron is no more effective than iv iron
experience built up in renal units, including the
but is painful to deliver and may cause staining
optimisation of ESA therapy by the use of iv iron,
of the injection site and has been associated with
should be transferred to other specialties. However,
specific clinical trials should be performed in a number of chronic conditions for confirmation and
11. Intravenous (iv) iron can be given safely
to determine special considerations for different
to patients with chronic diseases
populations. Similarly, the different ESAs and iron preparations should be compared systematically to
• Data from over 32 000 haemodialysis patients
determine the best and most costeffective treatment
in the United States have shown no association
between allcause mortality and cumulative
• A study of 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and
Hb < 12 g/dL (for women) or < 13 g/dL (for men)
• A French study of over 6000 patientmonths
showed benefits of treatment with an ESA and iv
of haemodialysis found no association between
iron in terms of the proportion of hypochromic
total dose of iv iron, or ferritin levels, and risk of
red blood cells, serum ferritin concentration and
quality of life (SF36 measure of vitality)30.
• Serious adverse reactions to all iv iron preparations
• The effectiveness of ESA treatment is enhanced by
are rare44. Two studies have suggested that
the coadministration of iv iron. Use of iv iron can
anaphylactic reactions with iron dextran occur
accelerate or increase the response to the ESA31–34.
with 0.6–0.7% of doses33,41. Another study reported
• Use of iv iron may reduce the dose of ESA
lower rates of adverse events associated with low
required to achieve a given response34.
molecular weight iron dextran than with high
• In some cases, use of iv iron alone (i.e. without an
ESA) can provide substantial improvements35–37.
• A recent analysis suggests rates of anaphylaxis
• Other adjuncts to ESAs (e.g. vitamin C, vitamin E,
of around three per million doses with iv iron
androgens, carnitine, pentoxifylline and statins) have
dextran and less than one per million doses of iron
not consistently been shown to be useful, or have
been shown to pose an unacceptable risk of adverse
• The real clinical consequences of oxidative stress
effects, and are, therefore, not recommended38.
associated with free iron release after iv administration have not been determined. 9. Oral iron causes sideeffects, is
• Use of iv iron was traditionally avoided in RA
associated with drug–drug interactions, and
because of concerns about disease flares. However,
has limited efficacy in chronic anaemia
a more recent study has shown that not only may
• In one study of 155 cancer patients (whose
iv iron be given safely to people with RA, but its
compliance with oral iron treatment was carefully
use, in combination with ESAs, is associated with
monitored), the increase in Hb concentration
a reduction in disease activity score30.
in those receiving oral iron and an ESA was not
• IV iron should not be given to patients with active
significantly different from those who received no
iron, whereas those receiving iv iron plus an ESA
• Animal studies using very high doses have
experienced a significant increase in Hb31.
suggested that iron may promote tumour growth
• In another study of dialysis patients receiving
but these findings have not been reflected in
an ESA, those receiving oral iron did not have
clinical experience and probably do not apply
2006 LIBRAPhARM LTd – Curr Med Res Opin 2006; 22()
Iron and the anaemia of chronic disease: a review and strategic recommendations Cavill et al. 735
to patients with normal levels of transferrin
Acknowledgements
saturation. They may also not be relevant to the doses of iv iron given in normal clinical practice47.
Funding for the expert meeting and the preparation
However, caution should be exercised in patients
of this publication were provided by UK Anaemia,
with high transferrin saturation (above 50%) since
a registered charity that aims to provide a scientific
use of iv iron in this population may, theoretically,
and clinical resource for healthcare professionals. Liz
be associated with enhanced tumour growth or
Wager (of Sideview) provided editorial assistance and
unwanted effects such as increased cardiotoxicity
David Larder (of STAC Consultancy) provided logistic
• Bone marrow and tumour cells may compete
for available iron. However, in patients with
normal levels of transferrin saturation nearly all the iron from a therapeutic dose will be taken up
Michael Auerbach has acted as a consultant for Watson
by the bone marrow cells since their transferrin
Pharmaceutical. George R. Bailie has been a consultant
receptors are much more numerous, and have a
for American Regent, Inc. and Vifor International
greater affinity for iron, than those present on
and has received honoraria from Amgen, Inc. He is a
tumour cells. In addition, exposure of tumour
member of the Advisory Board for NKF’s K/DOQI
cells to excess transferrin iron will be shortlived
and is a member of the workgroup for the K/DOQI
because it will be rapidly quarantined in the
Anaemia Clinical Practice Guidelines. Peter BarrettLee
has taken part in advisory boards and received honoraria from Amgen and Roche, and received research funding
12. The management of anaemia calls for
from Roche. Yves Beguin has been on advisory boards
the development of a specialist service,
for Amgen, Roche and Vifor. Ivor Cavill has acted as a
education of all healthcare professionals and
consultant for Vifor International and SynerMed and has
transfer of skills from areas of good practice
received honoraria for speaking from American Regent,
• Following the recognition of the high prevalence Amgen UK, Roche Pharmaceutical Products and Ortho
of anaemia in patients undergoing dialysis, manage
Biotech (JanssenCilag). His position at the University of Cardiff is supported by UK Anaemia. J. P. Kaltwasser
ment is currently coordinated best in renal
has taken part in an advisory board for Amgen and
medicine. According to international clinical prac
received recombinant human erythropoietin (Recormon)
tice guidelines, patients receiving dialysis now
from Boehringer Mannheim (now part of Roche) for a
receive treatment with ESAs and iv iron2. However,
clinical trial. Tim Littlewood has acted as a consultant
in other specialties, training and experience in these
for Amgen, Ortho Biotech and Roche. Iain Macdougall
therapies may be lacking and anaemia management
has acted as a consultant for Affymax Ltd, Amgen UK,
is ill coordinated. The increasing specialisation
Roche Pharmaceutical Products and Ortho Biotech
within haematology has resulted in advances in
the treatment of leukaemia but a decline in the treatment of anaemia49. The development of nurse consultants in anaemia (in the UK) serving a wide
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Paper CMRO3323_3, Accepted for publication: 22 February 2006
2006 LIBRAPhARM LTd – Curr Med Res Opin 2006; 22()
Iron and the anaemia of chronic disease: a review and strategic recommendations Cavill et al. 737
The "Win-Win" initiative: a global, scientifically based approach to resource sparing treatment for systemic breast cancer therapy Ahmed Elzawawy 1,2,3,4,5 1Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Egypt 2Alsoliman Radiation Oncology Unit, Port Said, Egypt 3Early Detection and Cancer Chemotherapy Unit, Port Said General Hospital, Egypt 4ICEDOC: Inte
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