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Ploug M, Qvist N, Kroijer R, Knudsen T. Preoperative intravenous iron treatment - a cohort study on colorectal cancer recurrence. Surg Open Sci 2023; 16:22-27. [PMID: 37744314 PMCID: PMC10517277 DOI: 10.1016/j.sopen.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intravenous (i.v.) iron treatment has been speculated to increase the malignant potential of colorectal malignancies but also to enhance the immune systems potential to fight the invasive tumor. Clinical data however is very limited. We investigate if preoperative i.v. iron treatment is associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence. Methods Retrospective cohort study on surgical CRC patients with iron deficiency anemia (1st March 2013 - 31st December 2019). Patients were grouped based on whether they had received preoperative treatment with i.v. iron. Local data was combined with data from the National Danish Health registries to identify recurrences, death, and emigration. Survival analysis, including Kaplan-Meyer curves and multivariate competing risk analysis adjusting for sex, age, ASA-group, tumor stage, surgical radicality, and miss match repair status was performed. Results Of 1228 patients, 125 were available for analysis. 89 patients had received preoperative i.v. iron and 36 had not. The two groups were comparable on baseline and surgical characteristics. Median follow-up times were 4.74 in iron treated patients and 5 years in patients not receiving iron treatment. Five-year rate of non-recurrence was 85 % (0.74-0.91) in the i.v. iron treated group vs. 82 % (0.64-0.91) in the control group, non-significant difference. Multivariate survival analysis did not find iron treatment to be associated with recurrence rates (Hazard Ratio 0.88 (95 % ci; 0.31-2.51). Conclusion No association between preoperative i.v. iron treatment and the five-year cancer recurrence rate in iron deficient anemic CRC patients was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Ploug
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Niels Qvist
- Research Unit for Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Kroijer
- Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Hospital South West Jutland, Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Torben Knudsen
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Hospital South West Jutland, Region of Southern Denmark, Denmark
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2
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Deng Y, Weng M, Zhang J. Preoperative anemia and long-term survival in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery: a retrospective cohort study. World J Surg Oncol 2023; 21:122. [PMID: 37013545 PMCID: PMC10071685 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-023-03005-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of preoperative anemia on a survival outcome and the importance of correcting preoperative anemia in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remain controversial. This study aimed to explore how preoperative anemia affects the long-term survival of patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study in which adult patients underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2014, at a large tertiary cancer center. A total of 7436 patients were enrolled in this study. Anemia was defined according to the diagnostic criteria of China (hemoglobin level < 110 g/L for women and < 120 g/L for men). The median follow-up time was 120.5 months (10.0 years). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) using the propensity score was used to reduce selection bias. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared between patients with and without preoperative anemia using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the weighted log-rank test based on IPTW. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess factors associated with OS and DFS. Multivariable Cox regression was also used to assess red blood cell (RBC) transfusion associations between preoperative anemia and outcomes. RESULTS After IPTW adjustment, clinical profiles were similar, except that tumor location and TNM stage remained imbalanced between the preoperative anemia and preoperative non-anemia groups (p < 0.001). IPTW analysis showed that the 5-year OS rate (71.3 vs. 78.6%, p < 0.001) and the 5-year DFS rate (63.9 vs. 70.9%, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the preoperative anemia group. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative anemia was associated with poorer OS and DFS, while RBC transfusion may improve OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.54, p = 0.054) and DFS (HR 0.50, p = 0.020) in CRC patients with preoperative anemia. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative anemia is an independent risk factor for survival in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Strategies to reduce preoperative anemia in patients with CRC should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixu Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Meilin Weng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, No. 270 Dongan Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Sakaeva DD. Anemia and iron deficiency in cancer patients: the role of intravenous iron supplements (a literature review). JOURNAL OF MODERN ONCOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.26442/18151434.2022.4.202018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Anemia in patients with malignancies is a common disorder that has a markedly negative impact on quality of life and overall prognosis. The pathogenesis of anemia is complex and multifactorial, depending on the type and stage of malignancy, nutritional status, renal function, age and gender, cytostatic drug, dose, and chemotherapeutic regimen, with iron deficiency often being the main and potentially treatable factor for anemia. In cancer patients, it can be caused by various concomitant mechanisms, including bleeding (e.g., in malignant gastrointestinal tumors or after surgery), malnutrition, medication, and hepcidin-induced iron sequestration in macrophages, with subsequent iron-deficient erythropoiesis. The variety of clinical manifestations of anemia makes it challenging to establish universal criteria to develop optimal treatments. Current therapy for anemia in malignant tumors includes replacement therapy with an iron supplement, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (erythropoietins), and blood transfusions. However, blood transfusions should be minimized due to the high risks and costs. Therapy with an iron supplement is an effective approach to correcting the iron deficiency. It can increase the efficacy of erythropoiesis-stimulating drugs and reduce the need for blood transfusions. Published guidelines suggest the wide use of intravenous iron supplements. This article discusses possible approaches to treating iron deficiency in cancer patients in various clinical settings. We build on current guidelines and emphasize the need for further research in this area.
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Laermans J, Van Remoortel H, Avau B, Bekkering G, Georgsen J, Manzini PM, Meybohm P, Ozier Y, De Buck E, Compernolle V, Vandekerckhove P. Adverse events of iron and/or erythropoiesis-stimulating agent therapy in preoperatively anemic elective surgery patients: a systematic review. Syst Rev 2022; 11:224. [PMID: 36253838 PMCID: PMC9578279 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-022-02081-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iron supplementation and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) administration represent the hallmark therapies in preoperative anemia treatment, as reflected in a set of evidence-based treatment recommendations made during the 2018 International Consensus Conference on Patient Blood Management. However, little is known about the safety of these therapies. This systematic review investigated the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) during or after treatment with iron and/or ESAs. METHODS Five databases (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Transfusion Evidence Library, Web of Science) and two trial registries (ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO ICTRP) were searched until 23 May 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort, and case-control studies investigating any AE during or after iron and/or ESA administration in adult elective surgery patients with preoperative anemia were eligible for inclusion and judged using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tools. The GRADE approach was used to assess the overall certainty of evidence. RESULTS Data from 26 RCTs and 16 cohort studies involving a total of 6062 patients were extracted, on 6 treatment comparisons: (1) intravenous (IV) versus oral iron, (2) IV iron versus usual care/no iron, (3) IV ferric carboxymaltose versus IV iron sucrose, (4) ESA+iron versus control (placebo and/or iron, no treatment), (5) ESA+IV iron versus ESA+oral iron, and (6) ESA+IV iron versus ESA+IV iron (different ESA dosing regimens). Most AE data concerned mortality/survival (n=24 studies), thromboembolic (n=22), infectious (n=20), cardiovascular (n=19) and gastrointestinal (n=14) AEs. Very low certainty evidence was assigned to all but one outcome category. This uncertainty results from both the low quantity and quality of AE data due to the high risk of bias caused by limitations in the study design, data collection, and reporting. CONCLUSIONS It remains unclear if ESA and/or iron therapy is associated with AEs in preoperatively anemic elective surgery patients. Future trial investigators should pay more attention to the systematic collection, measurement, documentation, and reporting of AE data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorien Laermans
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium. .,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Hans Van Remoortel
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bert Avau
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium
| | - Geertruida Bekkering
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, Leuven, Belgium.,Cochrane Belgium, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jørgen Georgsen
- South Danish Transfusion Service, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Paola Maria Manzini
- SC Banca del Sangue Servizio di Immunoematologia, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Patrick Meybohm
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care, Emergency and Pain Medicine, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Yves Ozier
- University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - Emmy De Buck
- Centre for Evidence-Based Practice, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium.,Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Compernolle
- Blood Services, Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Philippe Vandekerckhove
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Belgian Red Cross, Mechelen, Belgium.,Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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5
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Chen Y, Xu M, Ye Q, Xiang J, Xue T, Yang T, Liu L, Yan B. Irregular delay of adjuvant chemotherapy correlated with poor outcome in stage II-III colorectal cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:670. [PMID: 35715761 PMCID: PMC9206266 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09767-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) plays an important role in improving the survival of stage II-III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after curative surgery. However, the prognostic role of irregular delay of ACT (IDacT) for these patients has been less studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 117 stage II-III CRC patients who underwent radical resection and received at least 3 months ACT were enrolled retrospectively. The significance of IDacT, including total delay (TD) and delay per cycle (DpC), in predicting disease-free survival (DFS) was determined using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The survival differences between the TD, DpC-short and DpC-long subgroups were tested using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and risk factors for prognosis were determined using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS Using 35.50 and 3.27 days as the optimal cut-off points for TD and DpC, respectively, ROC analysis revealed that TD and DpC had sensitivities of 43.60% and 59.00% and specificities of 83.30% and 62.80%, respectively, in predicting DFS (both P < 0.05). No differences in the clinicopathological parameters were found between the TD, DpC-short or -long subgroups except histological differentiation in different TD subgroups and combined T stages in different DpC subgroups (both P = 0.04). Patients in the TD or DpC-long group exhibited significantly worse survival than in the -short group (TD: Log rank = 9.11, P < 0.01; DpC: Log rank = 6.09, P = 0.01). DpC was an independent risk factor for prognosis (HR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.32-4.88, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS IDacT had a profound effect on the outcome for stage II-III CRC. Although TD and DpC were significant for the prognosis, DpC was more robust, and patients who presented DpC for a long time had a significantly worse DFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of General Medicine, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya City, Hainan, P.R. China
| | - Mingyue Xu
- Department of General Surgery, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya City, Hainan, P.R. China
| | - Qianwen Ye
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District, Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, P.R. China
| | - Jia Xiang
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District, Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, P.R. China
| | - Tianhui Xue
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District, Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, P.R. China
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District, Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, P.R. China
| | - Long Liu
- Department Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianyou Hospital of Tongji University, No. 528 of Zhennan Road, Putuo District, Shanghai, 200331, P.R. China.
| | - Bing Yan
- Department of Oncology, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 80 of Jianglin Road, Haitang District, Sanya City, Hainan province, 572000, P.R. China.
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6
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Tang G, Zhang L, Huang W, Wei Z. Iron Supplementation Effectively Ameliorates Anemia and Reduces the Need for Blood Transfusion in Patients Undergoing Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Meta-Analysis. Nutr Cancer 2021; 74:2303-2312. [PMID: 34890292 DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2021.2014900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Anemia is common and harmful in patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. Blood transfusion (BT) is used to treat anemia, but results in a poor oncology prognosis. Iron supplementation may be effective in improving anemia and reducing the need for BT, however, the results remain controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of iron supplementation in improving hemoglobin concentrations (Hb) and reducing the need for BT. METHODS Up to February 10, 2021, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase databases were searched for studies evaluating the effects of iron supplementation on CRC surgery patients. Meta-analysis was conduct using the random-effects model. RESULTS Seven trials with 879 participants in total were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled findings suggested that iron supplementation effectively increased Hb (MD 0.41; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.69, P = 0.006) and reduced the risk of BT (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45, 0.78, P = 0.0002) compared with the control group. In addition, subgroup analyses showed that these benefits were observed with both oral and intravenous iron supplementation. CONCLUSION Iron supplementation is effective in ameliorating anemia and reducing the need for BT in CRC surgery patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Tang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Linyu Zhang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wang Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengqiang Wei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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7
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Bojesen RD, Eriksen JR, Vogelsang RP, Grube C, Forman JL, Gogenür I. The dynamic effects of preoperative intravenous iron in anaemic patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Colorectal Dis 2021; 23:2550-2558. [PMID: 34166572 DOI: 10.1111/codi.15789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to describe the dynamic changes in blood work following individual adjusted dosage of intravenously administered iron(III) isomaltoside in a 4-week period prior to surgery in patients with colorectal cancer. METHODS This was a single-centre, observational cohort study with prospectively collected data, including patients with colorectal cancer receiving preoperative treatment with iron(III) isomaltoside. Blood samples were taken at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after initial treatment. Sixty-two patients were included in the study. RESULTS Sixty-two patients were included for final analysis. The mean increase in haemoglobin was 0.77 g/dl (95% CI 0.52-1.03 g/dl, P < 0.0001) at week 1, 1.5 g/dl (95% CI 1.21-1.80 g/dl, P < 0.0001) at week 2 and 2.13 g/dl (95% CI 1.71-2.55 g/dl, P < 0.0001) at week 4. Patients with severe anaemia (<9.02 g/dl) showed the largest increase in haemoglobin during the treatment course (2.92 g/dl, 95% CI 2.27-3.58 g/dl, P < 0.0001). Patients with mild anaemia (>10.31 g/dl) did not show a significant increase (0.66 g/dl, 95% CI -0.29-1.61 g/dl, P = 0.17). The mean of transferrin saturation after 4 weeks was 8% (95% CI 6%-10%, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS After intravenously administered iron, patients with severe anaemia had the most substantial increase in haemoglobin, and the increase was largest after 4 weeks. Patients with mild anaemia did not have an increase in haemoglobin during the treatment course. The vast majority of patients still had iron deficiency at surgery 4 weeks after the initial treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Dahlin Bojesen
- Department of Surgery, Slagelse Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark.,Centre for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
| | | | | | - Camilla Grube
- Department of Surgery, Slagelse Hospital, Slagelse, Denmark.,Centre for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
| | - Julie Lyng Forman
- Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ismail Gogenür
- Centre for Surgical Science, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
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8
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Sawayama H, Miyamoto Y, Mima K, Kato R, Ogawa K, Hiyoshi Y, Shimokawa M, Akiyama T, Kiyozumi Y, Iwagami S, Iwatsuki M, Baba Y, Yoshida N, Baba H. Preoperative iron status is a prognosis factor for stage II and III colorectal cancer. Int J Clin Oncol 2021; 26:2037-2045. [PMID: 34302234 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-021-01995-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iron deficiency anemia is represented in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Iron surplus load to increase non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI), and NTBI promotes cancer progression and influences microbiota. This study investigated whether preoperative serum iron status was associated with prognosis after CRC resection. METHODS We evaluated preoperative iron and transferrin saturation (TSAT), which was calculated as iron divided by total iron-binding capacity, in 327 patients who underwent surgery for Stage II-III CRC. Fe < 60 μg/dl and TSAT > 40% were defined as low and high iron, respectively. The associations between iron status and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS Of the 327 patients, 179 (54.7%), 124 (37.9%) and 24 (7.3%) had low, normal and high iron, respectively. In univariate analysis, low iron was associated with shorter OS (hazard ratio [HR] 2.821, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.451-5.485, P = 0.002). High iron was also associated with shorter OS (HR 3.396, 95% CI 1.359-8.489, P = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, high age (P = 0.002), depth of invasion pT4 (P = 0.012), lymph-node metastasis presence (P = 0.035), low albumin (P = 0.011), low iron (HR 2.282, 95% CI 1.163-4.478, P = 0.016) and high iron (HR 3.757, 95% CI 1.486-9.494 P = 0.005) were independently associated with shorter OS. High iron was associated with the amount of intratumoral Fusobacterium nucleatum compared with normal iron. CONCLUSION Both low and high preoperative iron in Stage II-III CRC patients were associated with unfavorable OS in univariate and multivariate analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Sawayama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yuji Miyamoto
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kosuke Mima
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Rikako Kato
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yukiharu Hiyoshi
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31, Ariake, Koto, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan
| | - Mototsugu Shimokawa
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Takahiko Akiyama
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yuki Kiyozumi
- Department of Biostatistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi University, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Shiro Iwagami
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Masaaki Iwatsuki
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Naoya Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hideo Baba
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
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9
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Bulte CS, Boer C, Hemmes SN, Neto AS, Binnekade JM, Hedenstierna G, Jaber S, Hiesmayr M, Hollmann MW, Mills GH, Melo MFV, Pearse RM, Putensen C, Schmid W, Severgnini P, Wrigge H, de Abreu MG, Pelosi P, Schultz MJ. The effects of preoperative moderate to severe anaemia on length of hospital stay: A propensity score-matched analysis in non-cardiac surgery patients. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2021; 38:571-581. [PMID: 33399375 PMCID: PMC9867571 DOI: 10.1097/eja.0000000000001412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anaemia is frequently recorded during preoperative screening and has been suggested to affect outcomes after surgery negatively. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to assess the frequency of moderate to severe anaemia and its association with length of hospital stay. DESIGN Post hoc analysis of the international observational prospective 'Local ASsessment of VEntilatory management during General Anaesthesia for Surgery' (LAS VEGAS) study. PATIENTS AND SETTING The current analysis included adult patients requiring general anaesthesia for non-cardiac surgery. Preoperative anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin concentration of 11 g dl-1 or lower, thus including moderate and severe anaemia according to World Health Organisation criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was length of hospital stay. Secondary outcomes included hospital mortality, intra-operative adverse events and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). RESULTS Haemoglobin concentrations were available for 8264 of 9864 patients. Preoperative moderate to severe anaemia was present in 7.7% of patients. Multivariable analysis showed that preoperative moderate to severe anaemia was associated with an increased length of hospital stay with a mean difference of 1.3 ((95% CI 0.8 to 1.8) days; P < .001). In the propensity-matched analysis, this association remained present, median 4.0 [IQR 1.0 to 5.0] vs. 2.0 [IQR 0.0 to 5.0] days, P = .001. Multivariable analysis showed an increased in-hospital mortality (OR 2.9 (95% CI 1.1 to 7.5); P = .029), and higher incidences of intra-operative hypotension (36.3 vs. 25.3%; P < .001) and PPCs (17.1 vs. 10.5%; P = .001) in moderately to severely anaemic patients. However, this was not confirmed in the propensity score-matched analysis. CONCLUSIONS In this international cohort of non-cardiac surgical patients, preoperative moderate to severe anaemia was associated with a longer duration of hospital stay but not increased intra-operative complications, PPCs or in-hospital mortality. TRIAL REGISTRATION The LAS VEGAS study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01601223.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolien S.E. Bulte
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christa Boer
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sabrine N.T. Hemmes
- Department of Intensive Care and Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anaesthesia (L·E·I·C·A); Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Anaesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ary Serpa Neto
- Department of Intensive Care and Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anaesthesia (L·E·I·C·A); Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paolo, Brazil
| | - Jan M. Binnekade
- Department of Intensive Care and Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anaesthesia (L·E·I·C·A); Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Goran Hedenstierna
- Hedenstierna Laboratory, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Samir Jaber
- Montpellier University Hospital, Saint Eloi Intensive Care Unit and PhyMedExp, University of Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Hiesmayr
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus W. Hollmann
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gary H. Mills
- Operating Services, Critical Care and Anaesthesia, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Sheffield and University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Marcos F. Vidal Melo
- Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Bostan, MA, USA
| | | | - Christian Putensen
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Werner Schmid
- Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paolo Severgnini
- Department of Biotechnology and Sciences of Life, ASST Sette Laghi Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Hermann Wrigge
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marcelo Gama de Abreu
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Pulmonary Engineering Group, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Paolo Pelosi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche e Diagnostiche Integrate, Universitá degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Marcus J. Schultz
- Department of Intensive Care and Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anaesthesia (L·E·I·C·A); Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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10
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Aksan A, Farrag K, Aksan S, Schroeder O, Stein J. Flipside of the Coin: Iron Deficiency and Colorectal Cancer. Front Immunol 2021; 12:635899. [PMID: 33777027 PMCID: PMC7991591 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.635899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is the most frequent hematological manifestation in individuals with cancer, and is especially common in patients with colorectal cancer. Iron is a vital micronutrient that plays an essential role in many biological functions, in the context of which it has been found to be intimately linked to cancer biology. To date, however, whereas a large number of studies have comprehensively investigated and reviewed the effects of excess iron on cancer initiation and progression, potential interrelations of iron deficiency with cancer have been largely neglected and are not well-defined. Emerging evidence indicates that reduced iron intake and low systemic iron levels are associated with the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, suggesting that optimal iron intake must be carefully balanced to avoid both iron deficiency and iron excess. Since iron is vital in the maintenance of immunological functions, insufficient iron availability may enhance oncogenicity by impairing immunosurveillance for neoplastic changes and potentially altering the tumor immune microenvironment. Data from clinical studies support these concepts, showing that iron deficiency is associated with inferior outcomes and reduced response to therapy in patients with colorectal cancer. Here, we elucidate cancer-related effects of iron deficiency, examine preclinical and clinical evidence of its role in tumorigenesis, cancer progression and treatment response. and highlight the importance of adequate iron supplementation to limit these outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aysegül Aksan
- Institute of Nutritional Science, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,Interdisziplinäres Crohn Colitis Centrum, Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Karima Farrag
- Interdisziplinäres Crohn Colitis Centrum, Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany.,DGD Kliniken Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sami Aksan
- Interdisziplinäres Crohn Colitis Centrum, Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany.,DGD Kliniken Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Oliver Schroeder
- Interdisziplinäres Crohn Colitis Centrum, Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany.,DGD Kliniken Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jürgen Stein
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.,Interdisziplinäres Crohn Colitis Centrum, Rhein-Main, Frankfurt, Germany.,DGD Kliniken Sachsenhausen, Frankfurt, Germany
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11
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Plücker J, Wirsik NM, Ritter AS, Schmidt T, Weigand MA. Anaesthesia as an influence in tumour progression. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2021; 406:1283-1294. [PMID: 33523307 PMCID: PMC8370957 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-021-02078-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Tumour growth and the formation of metastases are essential elements in the progression of cancer. The centre of treatment is the surgical resection of primary solid tumours. But even if the tumour can be removed without microscopic residual cells, local recurrences and distant metastases occur and determine the patient’s fate. During the operation, tumour cells are shed from the primary tumour and released into the circulation. These circulating tumour cells might play an important role in the formation of new tumour sites. Therefore, a functional innate and adaptive immune system is essential, especially in this perioperative period. Anaesthesia influences consciousness and pain perception and interacts directly with the immune system and tumour cells. Methods Review of the current literature concerning intra- and postoperative anaesthetic decisions and tumour progression. Results There are beneficial aspects for patient survival associated with total intravenous anaesthesia, the use of regional anaesthetics and the avoidance of allogeneic red blood cell transfusions. Alternatives such as irradiated intraoperative blood salvage and preoperative iron supplementation may be advantageous in cases where transfusions are limited or not wanted. The immunosuppressive properties of opioids are theoretical, but strong evidence to avoid them does not exist. The application of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and postoperative nausea and vomiting prophylaxis do not impair the patient’s survival and may even have a positive effect on tumour regression. Conclusion Anaesthesia does play an important part in the perioperative period in order to improve the cancer-related outcome. Further research is necessary to make more concrete recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jadie Plücker
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Naita M Wirsik
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alina S Ritter
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus A Weigand
- Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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12
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Dickson EA, Keeler BD, Ng O, Kumar A, Brookes MJ, Acheson AG. Preoperative intravenous iron therapy and survival after colorectal cancer surgery: long-term results from the IVICA randomised controlled trial. Colorectal Dis 2020; 22:2018-2027. [PMID: 32871616 DOI: 10.1111/codi.15342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
AIM Preoperative iron is frequently used for the correction of anaemia in colorectal cancer surgery. However, enteral iron intake may promote tumour growth and progression which could influence cancer recurrence and patient survival. We explore the long-term outcomes of patients receiving either oral or intravenous iron replacement therapy as part of a previous randomized controlled trial. METHODS The IVICA trial randomized anaemic colorectal cancer patients to receive either oral (OI, control) or intravenous (IVI, treatment) iron prior to their elective operation. Follow-up analysis of all patients recruited to this multicentre trial who underwent surgical resection with curative intent was performed. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare groups. A pooled group multivariable analysis comparing patients who achieved resolution of anaemia preoperatively to those who did not was also undertaken. RESULTS In all, 110 of the 116 patients previously enrolled were eligible for analysis (OI n = 56, IVI n = 54). Median overall follow-up duration was 61 months (interquartile range 46-67). No significant difference in 5-year overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 1.22, 95% CI 0.65-2.28, P = 0.522) or disease-free survival (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.61-1.92, P = 0.79) was observed between OI and IVI. A pooled analysis of treatment groups found that preoperative resolution of anaemia led to improved 5-year overall survival on multivariable analysis (HR 3.38, 95% CI 1.07-11.56, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION We recommend IVI for the preoperative correction of anaemia. Route of iron therapy did not significantly influence survival. Preoperative anaemia correction may lead to an overall survival advantage following elective colorectal cancer surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Dickson
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - B D Keeler
- Milton Keynes University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - O Ng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - A Kumar
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - M J Brookes
- Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK.,School of Cancer Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - A G Acheson
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre in Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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13
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Kam PMH, Chu CWH, Chan EMY, Liu OL, Kwok KH. Use of intravenous iron therapy in colorectal cancer patient with iron deficiency anemia: a propensity-score matched study. Int J Colorectal Dis 2020; 35:521-527. [PMID: 31930457 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-020-03508-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Iron deficiency anemia is common in colorectal cancer patients and is related to poor surgical outcome. Increasing evidence supports preoperative use of intravenous iron (IVI) to correct anemia. Our study investigates effect of preoperative IVI on hemoglobin level. METHODS From August 2017 to March 2019, colorectal cancer patients with iron deficiency anemia received intravenous iron at least 2 weeks before their scheduled operations (IVI group). These patients' prospectively collected data were compared to a historic cohort of anemic patients who received elective colorectal surgery within 3 years before the study period (non-IVI). RESULTS Forty-six patients were included after receiving intravenous iron. After propensity score matching on 1:2 ratio, 38 patients in IVI group were matched with 62 patients from non-IVI group. There was no statistical difference for preoperative mean hemoglobin level between the two groups (8.43 g/dL in IVI, 8.79 g/dL in non-IVI, p = 0.117), but IVI group has significantly higher mean hemoglobin level on admission (10.63 g/dL in IVI, 9.46 g/dL in non-IVI, p = < 0.001). IVI group had higher median hemoglobin rise (1.9 in IVI, 0.6 in non-IVI, p = <0.001) and significantly less red cell transfusion (8 patients in IVI, 30 in non-IVI, p = 0.006). Subgroup analysis showed that less patients in IVI group required transfusions in preoperative period (1 in IVI group, 20 in non-IVI, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our data suggested that IVI can significantly increase hemoglobin level in iron deficiency anemic patients before colorectal surgery, with reduction in red cell transfusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Ming-Ho Kam
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Colin Wai-Ho Chu
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Emily Mei-Yi Chan
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - On-Lai Liu
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Kam-Hung Kwok
- Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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14
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Gómez-Ramírez S, Maldonado-Ruiz MÁ, Campos-Garrigues A, Herrera A, Muñoz M. Short-term perioperative iron in major orthopedic surgery: state of the art. Vox Sang 2018; 114:3-16. [DOI: 10.1111/vox.12718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Antonio Herrera
- Ortopaedic and Trauma Surgery; School of Medicine; Zaragoza Spain
| | - Manuel Muñoz
- Perioperative Transfusion Medicine; School of Medicine; Málaga Spain
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15
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Busti F, Marchi G, Ugolini S, Castagna A, Girelli D. Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Cancer Patients: Role of Iron Replacement Therapy. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:E94. [PMID: 30274354 PMCID: PMC6315653 DOI: 10.3390/ph11040094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Anemia in cancer patients is quite common, with remarkable negative impacts on quality of life and overall prognosis. The pathogenesis is complex and typically multifactorial, with iron deficiency (ID) often being a major and potentially treatable contributor. In turn, ID in cancer patients can be due to multiple concurring mechanisms, including bleeding (e.g., in gastrointestinal cancers or after surgery), malnutrition, medications, and hepcidin-driven iron sequestration into macrophages with subsequent iron-restricted erythropoiesis. Indeed, either absolute or functional iron deficiency (AID or FID) can occur. While for absolute ID there is a general consensus regarding the laboratory definition (that is ferritin levels <100 ng/mL ± transferrin saturation (TSAT) <20%), a shared definition of functional ID is still lacking. Current therapeutic options in cancer anemia include iron replacement, erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs), and blood transfusions. The latter should be kept to a minimum, because of concerns regarding risks, costs, and limited resources. Iron therapy has proved to be a valid approach to enhance efficacy of ESAs and to reduce transfusion need. Available guidelines focus mainly on patients with chemotherapy-associated anemia, and generally suggest intravenous (IV) iron when AID or FID is present. However, in the case of FID, the upper limit of ferritin in association with TSAT <20% at which iron should be prescribed is a matter of controversy, ranging up to 800 ng/mL. An increasingly recognized indication to IV iron in cancer patients is represented by preoperative anemia in elective oncologic surgery. In this setting, the primary goal of treatment is to decrease the need of blood transfusions in the perioperative period, rather than improving anemia-related symptoms as in chemotherapy-associated anemia. Protocols are mainly based on experiences of Patient Blood Management (PBM) in non-oncologic surgery, but no specific guidelines are available for oncologic surgery. Here we discuss some possible approaches to the management of ID in cancer patients in different clinical settings, based on current guidelines and recommendations, emphasizing the need for further research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Busti
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, and EuroBloodNet Referral Center for Iron Disorders, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Marchi
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, and EuroBloodNet Referral Center for Iron Disorders, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Sara Ugolini
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, and EuroBloodNet Referral Center for Iron Disorders, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Castagna
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, and EuroBloodNet Referral Center for Iron Disorders, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, 37134 Verona, Italy.
| | - Domenico Girelli
- Department of Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, and EuroBloodNet Referral Center for Iron Disorders, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, 37134 Verona, Italy.
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