Document 2789
 DOCN  M94A2789
 TI    Human recombinant erythropoietin (r-Hu EPO) for treatment of anemia in
       HIV-infected children.
 DT    9412
 AU    Caselli D; Maccabruni A; Fundaro C; Portelli E; De Santis U; Gabiano C;
       Forni GL; Dept of Pediatrics, IRCCS Policl. San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):224 (abstract no. PB0324). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369786
 AB    BACKGROUND: Anemia is a frequent complication of HIV infection in
       children, due both to HIV itself and, even more frequently, to
       antiretroviral therapy. Treatment with r-Hu EPO was reported in HIV
       infected adults, but data are not available for pediatric patients.
       PATIENTS: 10 children (5 males, age 3 months-10 years, 9 vertically and
       1 transfusion HIV infected) with symptomatic HIV infection were treated
       for AZT related (8 pts) or HIV related (2 pts) anemia. One pt was also
       beta thalassemic and one had cardiomyopathy. r-Hu EPO was used s.c. (n =
       8) or e.v. (n = 2) at a dose range from 40 to 150 U/kg/3 times/week for
       4 to 28 weeks (mean 16 weeks). RESULTS: Treatment was well tolerated, no
       side effects were reported even in the cardiomyopathy patient. Good
       response to EPO therapy was observed in 8/10 pts with mean Hb levels
       increment of 2.35 gr/dl and mean Hct increment of 6.5%. Of the two pts
       who apparently failed to respond, one was the thalassemic one, who
       reduced transfusion requirement, and the other had been treated at low
       dose (40U/kg) for only one month. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results
       suggest that EPO treatment may be effective for treatment of HIV or
       AZT-related anemia in HIV infected children.
 DE    Anemia/CHEMICALLY INDUCED/COMPLICATIONS/*THERAPY  Biological Response
       Modifiers/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Child  Child, Preschool  Drug Evaluation
       Erythropoietin/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Female  Human  HIV
       Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/DRUG THERAPY  Infant  Male  Myocardial
       Diseases/COMPLICATIONS  Recombinant Proteins/*THERAPEUTIC USE
       Thalassemia/COMPLICATIONS  Zidovudine/ADVERSE EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC USE
       MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).