O’Shaughnessy, J.A. (2002). Effects of epoetin alfa on cognitive function, mood, asthenia, and quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical Breast Cancer, 3(Suppl. 3), S116–S120.
The study was conducted to assess the feasibility of quantifying the effect of epoetin alfa in patients with breast cancer who were receiving adjuvant chemotherapy on asthenia, executive cognitive functioning, and quality of life.
Participants were randomized to receive 40,000 units weekly of erythropoietin or a placebo. Erythropoietin or placebo administration began on day 1 of chemotherapy. Both the erythropoietin and placebo were then dose-escalated, with the goal of keeping Hgb levels between 12 g/dL and 14 g/dL. All assessments were administered prior to the start of chemotherapy, one week prior to cycle 4, and 6 months following the completion of chemotherapy.
The study's setting is unknown.
The study utilized a longitudinal, double-blind, randomized, controlled design.
A significantly higher mean Hgb level in patients on erythropoietin treatment was reported (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in cognitive function.
The study failed to demonstrate a difference in cognitive functioning between patients in the erythropoietin and placebo groups.