Intravenous Iron in Gynecologic Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Prevention of Blood Transfusion With Intravenous Iron in Gynecologic Cancer Patients Receiving Platinum Based Chemotherapy

Can intravenous iron lower the rate of blood transfusion in gynecologic cancer patients receiving platinum based chemotherapy than oral iron?

Anemia is a common condition during chemotherapy administration. Treatment options usually include oral iron supplementation and blood transfusion. However, oral iron has gastrointestinal side effects, which affects patient compliance, and only a small amount of oral iron can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Intravenous iron may overcome a block of iron absorption and iron recycling induced by hepcidin. Therefore, it may increase hemoglobin level and reduced blood transfusion in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20-70 years
• Good performance status (Zubrod score < 2)
• No serious underlying disease
• Normal renal function test
• Normal liver function test
• Platinum based chemotherapy is the first line regimen
• No prior or receiving radiotherapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Iron hypersensitivity
• Underlying disease which has the risk of iron overload such as chronic kidney disease, major thalassemia
• Progressive disease
• Bone marrow metastasis