Radiation Therapy With or Without Epoetin Alfa in Treating Anemic Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Summary

RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Epoetin alfa may stimulate red blood cell production and treat anemia in patients with head and neck cancer. It is not yet known whether receiving radiation therapy with epoetin alfa is more effective than radiation therapy alone in treating anemic patients with head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of radiation therapy with or without epoetin alfa in treating anemic patients who have head and neck cancer.

Timeline

Start

2000-06

Primary completion

2007-11

Completion

2016-12

Publications

• Results Machtay M, Pajak TF, Suntharalingam M, Shenouda G, Hershock D, Stripp DC, Cmelak AJ, Schulsinger A, Fu KK; Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. Radiotherapy with or without erythropoietin for anemic patients with head and neck cancer: a randomized trial of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG 99-03). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007 Nov 15;69(4):1008-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.04.063. Epub 2007 Aug 23.
• Results Machtay M, Pajak T, Suntharalingam M, et al.: Definitive radiotherapy +/- erythropoietin for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: preliminary report of RTOG 99-03. [Abstract] Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 60 (Suppl 1): A-5, S132, 2004.

Drugs

Indications