[Image] Canada NewsWire [Image] Give us your message. We'll give you the world. Attention
[Image] Canada NewsWire [Image]
Give us your message. We'll give you the world.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Attention News/Health Editors:
NEW TREATMENT REDUCES NEED FOR BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS ONLY APPROVED TRANSFUSION
ALTERNATIVE IN CANADA
Video News Release/B-Roll to run at 14:00 EST, Anik E2, C Band,
---------------------------------------------------------------
Transponder 6A, Audio 6.2 and 6.8
---------------------------------
TORONTO, Jan. 9 /CNW/ - Cancer patients who develop anemia,
which is a deficiency of red blood cells, now have a new alternative
instead of blood transfusion. EPREX(R) Sterile Solution (epoetin
alfa) is a biotechnology product to natural human erythropoietin, the
hormone responsible for controlling red blood cell production. It
stimulates the patient's bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
EPREX is the only pharmaceutical product approved as an
alternative to blood transfusions in Canada.
Anemia is a common complication in cancer, and can be caused by
the disease or its treatment, adding significantly to their disease
burden. Symptoms can be so severe that patients may become bedridden,
unable to work or perform even basic daily activities. For some
patients, the frequent blood transfusions needed for their anemia
have led to fears and increased stress. Recent studies have shown 20
per cent of patients receiving transfusions suffer adverse
effects.(1)
According to a Canadian study published in 1993 in THE AMERICAN
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY (Skillings et al), 18 per cent of cancer
patients treated with chemotherapy are transfused annually with an
average of 5.4 units of blood.
Dr. Ian Quirt, a cancer specialist at the Princess Margaret
Hospital in Toronto says treating anemia with EPREX (epoetin alfa)
can lead to an overall increase in energy levels and ability to carry
out the activities of daily living. ``This new treatment keeps cancer
patients' energy levels up when they need it most,'' he says. ``We
have seen up to a 70 per cent response rate among patients in
clinical trials and results indicate these rates get better with
prolonged therapy.''
In controlled clinical trials,(2,3), 413 patients with anemia
were given EPREX injection or placebo injection for periods of 8 to
12 weeks. Patients receiving EPREX therapy experienced a
statistically significant increase in hemoglobin level and decrease
in both the incidence of transfusion and the amount of blood
transfused, compared to placebo-treated patients. Patients who
responded to therapy also reported a significant improvement in
energy level, daily activities and overall quality of life, compared
to those receiving placebo. EPREX therapy was effective in a wide
variety of cancer types and in patients with advanced disease. The
incidence of side effects were consistent with the underlying disease
state, with no differences noted between those receiving active drug
and placebo.
``EPREX has done well for me,'' says Harvey Wayne, a cancer
patient from St. John, New Brunswick. ``Prior to that I was taking
blood transfusions every five to six weeks, but they weren't bringing
my hemo levels up. EPREX brought the hemo up so that I haven't needed
the transfusions at all.''
``EPREX therapy is especially valuable for cancer patients
because it reduces the need for blood transfusions and has been shown
to improve the overall quality of life of a person with cancer,'' Dr.
Quirt says. ``Reducing blood transfusions lowers the hazards that go
along with them such as infections, hemolytic reactions and effects
on the immune system.''
EPREX (epoetin alfa) is given by sub-cutaneous (under the skin)
injection three times per week. It is also approved for treatment of
anemia associated with chronic renal failure and treatment of
transfusion dependent anemia related to therapy with AZT in
HIV-infected patients. Additional trials are currently underway in
Canada to assess the role of EPREX therapy in reducing or eliminating
transfusion requirement in certain surgical procedures.
Ortho Biotech is located in North York, Ontario, and is a
division of Janssen-Ortho Inc. Janssen-Ortho is a major manufacturer
and distributor of a broad range of pharmaceuticals used in
psychiatry, gastroenterology, dermatology, family planning, oncology
and treatment of infections.
Ortho Biotech specializes in products developed through
biotechnology. The company also provides ORTHOCLONE OKT(x)3
(muromonab CD-3), the first ever therapeutic use of monoclonal
antibody technology, for treatment of acute rejection in solid organ
transplantation. Ortho Biotech is also marketing and developing other
technologies for treatment of various forms of cancer.
------------------------
(1) Reiger, P.T. and Haeuber D.: A New approach to managing
chemotherapy-related anemia: nursing implications of Epoetin Alfa.
ONF 1995; 22(1):71-81.
(2) Abels, R.I., Kay M. Larholt, Kenneth D. Krantz, Edward C.
Bryant: Recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) for the treatment
of the anemia of cancer. RW. Johnson Pharmaceutical Research
Institute, Raritan, New Jersey, USA, 1991.
(3) Henry, D.H. and Abels, R.I.: Recombinant human
erythropoietin in the treatment of cancer and chemotherapy-induced
anemia: results of double-blind and open-label follow-up studies.
Semin Oncol 1994:21:21-28.
Note: (x) signifies an asterisk
ANEMIA AND CANCER FACT SHEET
Cancer in Canada(1)
- In 1995 there will be an estimated 125,400 new cases of cancer
in Canada - 66,400 men and 59,000 women.
- Males have a 40.2 per cent chance of developing cancer over
their lifetime, and a 27.2 per cent chance of dying. Females have a
36.4 per cent chance of developing cancer in their lifetime and a
22.6 per cent chance of dying.
Causes of Anemia
- Anemia is a typical symptom of chemotherapy treatment in
cancer patients and is most prevalent in those with advanced disease
or those receiving chemotherapy.
- Anemia in cancer patients happens because of a variety of
reasons:
- blood loss.
- suppression of the bone marrow brought on by
chemotherapy or the cancer itself.
- infiltration of the bone marrow by the tumor.
- nephrotoxicity caused by specific chemotherapy.
- Anemia occurs when production of red blood cells in the bone
marrow is impaired.
- When hemoglobin levels fall there are too few red blood cells
carrying oxygen to the tissues and cells of the body.
- The resulting tissue hypoxia causes symptoms of anemia.
Symptoms of Anemia
- Anemia affects the overall quality of life of the cancer
patient.
- As the body tries to compensate for lack of oxygen it causes
physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, headaches,
indigestion and palpitations.
- Other clinical symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, loss of
appetite and loss of ability to perform everyday activities.
Cardiovascular problems can also develop.
- Psychological symptoms can develop including lack of
concentration and depression, irritability and decreased
performance of daily activities.
Treatment
- Anemia in cancer patients used to be treated exclusively with
blood transfusions but these pose their own risks such as
infections and allergic reactions.
- According to a Canadian study published in 1993 in The
American Journal of Clinical Oncology (Skillings et al), 18
per cent of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are
transfused requiring an average of 5.4 units of blood.
- Adverse effects are associated with up to 20 per cent of blood
transfusions(2).
- EPREX(R) Sterile Solution enables patients to lead a
physically and socially more active life with less anxiety,
brighter moods, and an increased general feeling of well
being(3).
- Medical treatment should be combined with a diet high in iron,
protein and vitamins.
------------------
(1) Canadian Cancer Statistics 1995 produced by the National
Cancer Institute of Canada, Statistics Canada, Provincial Cancer
Registries, Health Canada.
(2) Reiger, P.T. and Haeuber, D.: A new approach to managing
chemotherapy-related anemia: nursing implications of epoetin alfa.
ONF 1995;22(1):71-81.
(3) Leitgeb, C; Pecherstorfer, M; Fritz, E; Ludwig, H.: Quality
of life in chronic anemia of cancer during treatment with recombinant
human erythropoietin. Cancer 1994; 73:2595-2542.
Physician spokespeople/Medicins conferenciers:
----------------------------------------------
Dr. Jamey Skillings
Clinical Director, Systemic Therapy Program
Nova Scotia Cancer Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
(902) 428-4215
Dr. Sean Dolan
Deputy Medical Director
Red Cross, St. John, N.B. Blood Services and Medical Oncologist
Saint John Regional Hospital
St. John, New Brunswick
(506) 648-5070
(506) 634-1201
Dr. Charles Olweny
Co-Director of World Health Organization
Collaborating Centre for the Study of Quality of Life in Cancer
Care and Acting Section Head, Medical Oncology
St. Boniface Hospital
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 235-3141
Dr. Jean Pierre Moquin
Departement d'hemotalogie
Hopital du Sacre-Coeur
Montreal, Quebec
(514) 338-2150
ou
c/o Aline Lemelin, Fleishman-Hillard
(514) 369-5767
Dr. Ian Quirt
Division Director, Medical Oncology
Princess Margaret Hospital
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 946-2253
Dr. Sandra Rayson
Medical Oncologist
Allan Blair Cancer Centre
Regina, Saskatchewan
(306) 766-2205
Dr. Joseph Connor
Chairman, Lymphoma Tumour Group
British Columbia Cancer Agency
Vancouver, British Columbia
(604) 877-6000 ext.2746
For further information: Walter Masanic, Ortho Biotech,(416) 382-5148;
Karen Lauriston, Fleishman-Hillard, (416) 214-0701
14:05e 09-JAN-96
To view other releases from this company
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Image]
E-Mail Fredric L. Rice / The Skeptic Tank