Outcomes of the use of epoetin alfa in preoperative therapy of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system: analysis of a series of clinical cases

Aim. To describe the immediate and long-term results of a series of cases of the use of epoetin alfa in preoperative therapy of malignant tumors of the female reproductive system, performed at a single clinical center.

Materials and methods. The article presents the experience of treating anemia (2–3 degrees of severity) of various origins with erythropoiesis-stimulating drugs in monotherapy or in combination with iron preparations in 5 patients who sought medical care at the Federal Research and Clinical Center for Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Biomedical Agency of the Russian Federation for the period from August 2024 to February 2025 due to malignant tumors of the female reproductive system of various localizations, for whom surgical treatment was indicated.

Results. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 55.4 ± 32.5 years. The mean body mass index of patients was 25.6 ± 1.6. The mean hemoglobin level in the blood at the time of diagnosis was 78.2 ± 3 g / L. The mean duration of preoperative drug therapy was 4.4 ± 1.5 weeks, during which 2 (40 %) patients received monotherapy with epoetin alfa (40,000 IU once a week subcutaneously), 3 (60 %) patients with serum ferritin <100 ng / ml and serum transferrin iron saturation <20 % – combination therapy in combination with iron [III] hydroxide sucrose complex (intravenous jet stream 200 mg 3 times a week). The mean hemoglobin level at the time of surgery was 102.2 ± 8.5 g / L. The average postoperative hospital stay was 7.2 ± 5.5 days. No intra- or perioperative complications were observed. The average postoperative follow-up period was 7 (3–9) months, during which no recurrence of the disease was detected (0 %).

Conclusion. The correction of multifactorial anemia of 2–3 degrees of severity in the preoperative period in malignant tumors of the female reproductive system using erythropoietins in monotherapy or in combination with iron preparations within a reasonable time ensures the achievement of the target hemoglobin level for subsequent surgical treatment, an acceptable quality of life for patients, and also allows to reduce the risk of perioperative complications and avoid unnecessary blood transfusions.

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