Epoetin Alfa in Treating Chemotherapy-Related Anemia in Women With Stage I, Stage II, or Stage III Breast Cancer
Anemia, Breast Cancer, Fatigue
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Anemia focused on measuring stage I breast cancer, stage II breast cancer, stage IIIA breast cancer, stage IIIB breast cancer, anemia, fatigue
Eligibility Criteria
DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage I, II, or III breast cancer Planned adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy with or without a taxane for 3-6 months Hemoglobin 10-14 g/dL (independent of transfusion) No anemia due to factors other than cancer/chemotherapy (i.e., iron, cyanocobalamin, or folate deficiency; hemolysis; gastrointestinal bleeding; or myelodysplastic syndrome) Hormone receptor status: Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 9 months Hematopoietic: See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled or severe cardiovascular disease No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No uncontrolled hypertension No congestive heart failure Other: No hypersensitivity to mammalian cell-derived products No hypersensitivity to human albumin Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 6 months since prior epoetin alfa or any investigational forms of erythropoietin (e.g., gene-activated erythropoietin or novel erythropoiesis- stimulating protein) No transfusion within the past 30 days No other concurrent epoetin alfa Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent investigational drugs No other concurrent treatments for anemia