Efficacy of intravenous iron in cancer patients with moderate to severe iron deficiency anaemia

Abstract

Introduction: Iron deficiency anaemia is common in patients with cancer. Intravenous iron is approved for treatment of iron deficiency anaemia when oral iron preparations are ineffective. Few data are available on the rapidity of haemoglobin correction in patients with cancer and moderate to severe iron deficiency anaemia who are given intravenous iron. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the efficacy and safety of ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) in cancer patients with iron deficiency anaemia who were treated in our centre from January to June 2019. The primary endpoint was the rise in haemoglobin levels at day 7, day 14, and day 28 after the first dose of FCM. The secondary endpoints included the change in iron profile, the sustainability of haemoglobin response at day 60, and the changes in patients' transfusion requirements following FCM. Results: The mean baseline haemoglobin level of the 34 patients given FCM during this period was 7.8 g/dL. The mean haemoglobin rise at day 7, day 14, and day 28 was 0.5 g/dL, 1.1 g/dL, and 2.1 g/dL, respectively. The rise in haemoglobin level was sustainable at day 60 and accompanied by rises in ferritin and iron saturation (p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant reduction in patients' transfusion requirements (p = 0.016). No hypersensitivity reaction or abnormality of vital signs was reported. Conclusions: In patients with cancer and moderate to severe iron deficiency anaemia, FCM induced a prompt rise in haemoglobin levels. This treatment may be a viable option for patients with iron deficiency anaemia who may otherwise require transfusion.