Epoetin Alfa in Treating Anemia in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Multiple Myeloma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed multiple myeloma (MM)
• Requiring active therapy for MM
• Planning to undergo chemotherapy for ≥ 3 months
• Moderate anemia caused by MM and/or chemotherapy, as evidenced by hemoglobin ≤ 11.0 g/dL
• No untreated anemia predominantly due to factors other than MM/chemotherapy (i.e., iron or folate deficiencies, hemolysis, HIV, or gastrointestinal bleeding)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-3
• Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
• Transferrin saturation ≥ 20%
• Ferritin ≥ 100 ng/mL
• Homocysteine normal (concurrent vitamin supplementation allowed)
• Methylmalonic acid normal (concurrent vitamin supplementation allowed)
• Renal function normal
• No uncontrolled hypertension
• No prior thrombotic events unless treated with appropriate prophylaxis
• No known hypersensitivity to mammalian cell-derived products
• No uncontrolled infection
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• Weight < 100 Kg
• Patients with iron, folate, or vitamin B\_12 deficiency allowed provided conditions are corrected prior to study entry
• Able to read and understand English at a 7th grade level

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior total lymphoid, extensive abdominal, or inverted Y radiotherapy
• Concurrent red blood cell transfusion allowed provided hemoglobin ≤ 7 g/dL AND patient is symptomatic
• Concurrent vitamin supplementation allowed for cyanocobalamin (vitamin B\_12) or folate deficiency