My husband gets occasional Procrit injections to keep his hemoglobin from getting too low. But am starting to hear that this may not be the best route. Would love your feedback.
UPDATE:
His DR has said that he will pull back on the frequency of Procrit . . . due to these concerns.
Where did you hear that?
I haven't had the chance to research this yet but at the onco this a.m. I overheard someone say they didn't want another Procrit shot, they were going to opt to let their hemoglobin drop enough to be at the threshold for a blood transfusion because they had heard this. Wasn't comfortable asking them for a proof source and the DR at that point wasn't available - but figured we should research just in case.
Have you heard this?
You have to be careful about studies of association between Procrit and PC mortality. Men who get Procrit often do so because the cancer has moved into the bone marrow or because of bone marrow damage from Chemo or radiation. So more advanced cases are more likely to get the therapy. In that case, it is associated with mortality, but does not cause mortality.
Thank you
Actually the words they used were "it makes tumors more aggressive"
We have an email out to the onco
I also read something like that on the Procrit website.
Here is exactly what it says.
For people with cancer:
Your tumor may grow faster and you may die sooner if you choose to take PROCRIT®. Your healthcare provider will talk with you about these risks.
Misunderstanding of cause and effect.
What does that mean exactly?
As I wrote: "more advanced cases are more likely to get the therapy. In that case, it is associated with mortality, but does not cause mortality."
Here is some information on the matter:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
researchgate.net/publicatio...
It seems that it blocks apoptosis from serum starvation per the information I found but does not cause proliferation. Limited studies on the matter.
Don Pescado
Apoptosis is unfortunately rare in metastases anyway.
After looking at information, I could not find a reason to not use it. Of course, one should also be sure they have adequate iron and folate, B12, and VitaminC, although Vitamin C is rarely an issue....
mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...
People with significant anemia are at risk for CV events and falls. I guess people weigh the pros and cons and decide...
Don Pescado
Thanks for these links.
Blocking apoptosis is not good!
Apoptosis rarely happens in cancer anyway - the cells are immortal. Having non-apoptotic cells is a hallmark of cancer.
You might to research this topic a little more. I certainly disagree.
Gourd Dancer
You must weigh the pros and cons and decide. Significant anemia increases risk for heart failure:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/155...
heart attacks and arrythmias
mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...
All I am saying is weigh your choices. What do I know?? Best of luck to you...
Don Pescado
Thank you - yes this is a tough one!
It seems that short term use is not associated with adverse events on the biology of PC.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...
My thoughts, if it effects the QOL, then one should take epogen injections....my anemia is mild and not where it limits me much...it seems to take longer for recovery post exercise....not uncommon for older folks.....
Fish
Thank you for this link!
The last year of my PCa therapy (2018) I used Procrit, because of kidney disease. My hemoglobin was 9.6 and then 9.4 and after several Procrit shots my hemoglobin was 10.6 to 11.3 . I have a test for anemia (hemoglobin) every 6 weeks and sometimes I need a shot and sometimes not. A shot is $63.00 with my health insurance, but I no longer feel tired all the time. I did not notice any changes in my PSA on Procrit and I am currently on "Active Surveillance" since I stopped my cancer therapy. On Procrit it is important to not have a hemoglobin level of over 3.6 due to possible strokes.
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