Efficacy of oral iron therapy in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia: A real-world retrospective study

Uitrakul S., Jongkraijakra S., Buatoom T., Jingjit T., Kunakornkirati N., Jantataeme A., ...Daha Fazla

Pharmacy Practice, cilt.24, sa.3, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 24 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.18549/pharmpract.2026.3.3666
  • Dergi Adı: Pharmacy Practice
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, DIALNET, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Pharma Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: chemotherapy-induced anemia, ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulphate, oral iron
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Bilecik Şeyh Edebali Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is one of the most common adverse effects found in cancer patients. This condition not only affects the quality of life of the patients but can also delay their regular chemotherapeutic administration. As erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and parenteral iron therapy are not commonly affordable in Thailand, this study aimed to observe the clinical response of the patients receiving oral iron therapy for CIA. Methods: Patient medication charts of all patients with CIA and without other causes of anemia were reviewed. Baseline characteristics, clinical data, and blood-related laboratory results were collected before treatment. Clinical response, defined as hemoglobin ≥12.0 g/dL or an increase in hemoglobin ≥2.0 g/dL, was assessed at 3 months after treatment.Results: During the study period, there were 77 patients with oral 200 mg Ferrous Fumarate trice daily and 68 patients without oral iron therapy. Baseline characteristics of the patients in both groups were similar, especially the blood-related values. The response rate of the patients using oral iron was 10.39%, while the other group was 0% (p-value 0.007). In addition, the mean changes in hemoglobin of the patients receiving oral iron for 3 months and not receiving oral iron were 0.13 and-0.43 g/dL, respectively (p-value 0.005).Conclusion: Oral iron supplementation had a statistically significant benefit of hemoglobin development, despite not much increase. For patients with CIA who cannot afford ESA or parenteral iron, oral iron therapy should be taken into account.