Many patients being treated for various cancers develop anemia. Aranesp is approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with anemia, which is caused by chemotherapy treatment of their malignant disease, rather than the underlying malignant disease itself. Essentially, it is a toxic drug which attempts to overcome some of the damage caused by other far more toxic drugs.

Amgen, the maker of Aranesp, conducted a large, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study that showed Aranesp was ineffective in reducing red blood cell transfusions or fatigue in patients with cancer who have anemia that is not due to concurrent chemotherapy. The study also showed higher mortality in patients receiving Aranesp.

Last Modified: Sunday, January 28th, 2007 @ 06:03

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