Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Epoetin Alfa Administered Weekly in Patients With Gastric or Rectal Cancers Undergoing a Treatment Plan of Preoperative Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy, Followed by Surgery

Johnson & Johnson (J&J)

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 3

Conditions

Stomach Neoplasms

Rectal Neoplasms

Treatments

Drug: epoetin alfa

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Industry

Identifiers

NCT00036400

CR002365

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of epoetin alfa on the reduction in red blood cell transfusions needed in gastric cancer patients and rectal cancer patients undergoing a treatment plan of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy, followed by surgery.

Full description

Cancer patients often experience anemia due to the disease itself, chemotherapy, or both. Quality of life is also affected, in part because of the fatigue associated with anemia. Previous studies with epoetin alfa have suggested that achieving a higher hemoglobin level may improve quality of life and help patients live longer. The primary objective of the study is to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of epoetin alfa on the reduction in red blood cell transfusions needed in gastric and rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy (chemoradiation), followed by surgery. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of 40,000 to 60,000 Units of epoetin alfa or matching placebo injected under the skin once weekly for up to 16 weeks (starting 1 week before chemoradiation and extending up to 4 weeks after surgery) in reducing red blood cell transfusions during the 16-week period. Other effectiveness measures include the ability of epoetin alfa to maintain baseline hemoglobin levels during the chemoradiation and its effect on quality of life and tumor response during the study period. The safety of epoetin alfa will be assessed by incidence and severity of adverse events, clinical laboratory tests, physical examinations, and vital signs. The hypothesis of the study is that epoetin alfa is superior to placebo in reducing the number of transfusions, preventing anemia and improving quality of life during chemoradiation, surgery, and immediately after surgery. 40,000 to 60,000 Units of epoetin alfa or placebo injected under the skin once weekly for up to 16 weeks. First 4 weeks the dose is 40,000 Units; increased to 60,000 Units weekly starting at week 4 of chemoradiation if hemoglobin decreases by >=1 g/dL and/or is <=13 g/dL after 4 weeks of treatment.

Enrollment

60 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of gastric cancer or rectal cancer for whom the treatment plan is preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy, followed by surgery
have a life expectancy of greater than 6 months
have a baseline hemoglobin value of >= 10 g/dL and < 15 g/dL and adequate hematologic function
have adequate liver and kidney function
if female, must be postmenopausal, surgically sterile, or practicing an effective method of birth control.

Exclusion criteria

Rectal cancer patients who have received chemotherapy or gastric cancer patients who have received more than two cycles of chemotherapy
anemia due to factors other than cancer or chemotherapy (e.g., iron, vitamin B12 or folate deficiencies, hemolysis or gastrointestinal bleeding)
history of any other major medical condition or uncontrolled disease
had a transfusion of white blood cells or packed red blood cells within one month prior to study entry or administration of androgen (male sex hormone) therapy within 2 months of study entry
have received prior treatment with epoetin alfa or any investigational forms of erythropoietin within the previous six months.