The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has updated its guidance to expand the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or ESAs, which help boost levels of red blood cells.

Cancer chemotherapy can temporarily slow down the production of red blood cells (erythropoiesis), causing anaemia. Symptoms that affect people with anaemia include headaches, palpitations, shortness of breath and severe fatigue. Anaemia can also reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatment and may lower chances of survival.

ESAs work by mimicking a hormone naturally produced in the kidneys which stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow.

NICE previously issued guidance in 2008 recommending ESAs only as a possible treatment for some people with anaemia caused by cancer treatment. Using a new cost effectiveness analysis, the committee updated the recommendations to expand the use of ESAs (epoetin alfa, beta, theta and zeta, and darbepoetin alfa) to all other indications within their marketing authorisations.

For more details, go to: https://www.nice.org.uk/news/press-and-media/nice-recommends-more-options-for-tackling-anaemia-in-people-with-cancer