Question

the fda issued a safety announcement regarding the use of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in 2010 with the recommendations that

a. esa no longer be prescribed to patients with chronic renal failure

b. the risk of tumor development be explained to cancer patients on ESA therpay

c. patients sould no longer receive ESA therapy to prepare for allogenic transfusions

d. ESAs be prescribed only to patients younger than age 60 years

Answer 1

1b

The erythropoiesis -stimulating agents (ESA) erythropoietin and darbepoetin prevent transfusions among chemotherapy -associated anaemis patients. It has been found that there are numerous risks associated with ESA administration in this setting such as clinical trials, meta-analysis, tumor progression and venous thromboembolism.