Early Results of a Head-To-Head Comparison of Darbepoetin Alfa 200 µg Given Every 2 Weeks and Epoetin Alfa 40,000 U Given Weekly

Mean change in hemoglobin value after 17 weeks of treatment was 1.4 g/dL (95% CI: 1.1-1.8) for the darbepoetin alfa group and 1.5 g/dL (95% CI: 1.2-1.8) for the epoetin alfa group, using the intent-to- treat approach (missing values or values within 28 days of a transfusion were imputed using the last value carried forward method). Cumulative incidence of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions from week 1 to week 17 was 21% (95% CI: 11%-29%) in the darbepoetin alfa group and 19% (95% CI: 11%-28%) in the epoetin alfa group. A similar proportion of patients in the two treatment groups achieved the NCCN hemoglobin target range of 11-12 g/dL and maintained this level after reaching this target. Conclusions Based on this interim analysis at 17 weeks, darbepoetin alfa 200 µg every 2 weeks and epoetin alfa 40,000 U once weekly appear to achieve comparable outcomes with respect to improvement in hemoglobin levels and reduction in number of RBC transfusions. Less-frequent dosing of darbepoetin alfa may provide added benefits to patients with chemotherapy- induced anemia and their caregivers, compared with the more frequent dosing required by epoetin alfa.