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To the Editor: The meta-analysis by Dr Bennett and colleagues¹ evaluated venous thromboembolism (VTE) and mortality rates associated with ESA administration for the treatment of anemia among patients with cancer. The authors conclude that the use of ESA in patients with cancer is associated with increased risks of VTE and mortality.

Some solid cancers such as pancreatic cancer and brain tumors have a greater associated risk for developing VTE than others.² However, the authors did not identify these specific types of cancer in the ESA and control groups. It would be helpful if the authors could stratify their analyses by cancer type.

Financial Disclosures: None reported.

Ozgur Kara, MD; Omer Dizdar, MD; Kadri Altundag, MD
altundag66@yahoo.com
Department of Medical Oncology
Hacettepe University Institute of Oncology
Ankara, Turkey

1. Bennett CL, Silver SM, Djulbegovic B; et al. Venous thromboembolism and mortality associated with recombinant erythropoietin and darbepoetin administration for the treatment of cancer-associated anemia. JAMA. 2008;299(8):914-924. FREE FULL TEXT 2. Thodiyil PA, Kakkar AK. Variation in relative risk of venous thromboembolism in different cancers. Thromb Haemost. 2002;87(6):1076-1077. WEB OF SCIENCE | PUBMED

Letters Section Editor: Robert M. Golub, MD, Senior Editor.

JAMA. 2008;300(24):2855.

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RELATED ARTICLE

Venous Thromboembolism and Mortality Associated With Recombinant Erythropoietin and Darbepoetin Administration for the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Anemia
Charles L. Bennett, Samuel M. Silver, Benjamin Djulbegovic, Athena T. Samaras, C. Anthony Blau, Kara J. Gleason, Sara E. Barnato, Kathleen M. Elverman, D. Mark Courtney, June M. McKoy, Beatrice J. Edwards, Cara C. Tigue, Dennis W. Raisch, Paul R. Yarnold, David A. Dorr, Timothy M. Kuzel, Martin S. Tallman, Steven M. Trifilio, Dennis P. West, Stephen Y. Lai, and Michael Henke
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Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents in the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Anemia—Reply
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