Anemia as a consequence of treatment toxicity in hemato-oncological patients

Abstract: Anemia associated with malignant disease develops due to the activity of the tumor or as a consequence of antitumor therapy. It is estimated that more than 30% of oncology patients have anemia before the start of treatment, and after the start of treatment more than 60% of patients will develop anemia. The development of anemia in malignant diseases is associated with several different mechanisms that lead to ineffective erythropoiesis. The effect of tumor cells on the bone marrow microenvironment, as well as the direct effect on key mediators in iron metabolism, is further enhanced by antitumor therapy. The treatment of anemia is demanding and often requires a combined approach in which a single drug will not be both safe and effective for all patients. Larger clinical studies that will focus on patients with similar malignant diseases with well-defined comorbidities and chronic therapy will help to better define the goals and monitor the outcome of the treatment of anemia associated with a particular malignant disease and antitumor therapy..

Key words:
anemia; antitumor treatment; ineffective erythropoiesis; malignant disease