Epoetin β pegol (continuous erythropoietin receptor activator, CERA) is another choice for the treatment of anemia in myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND In most patients, anemia is present when myelodysplastic syndrome is diagnosed. Although darbepoetin α is the first-choice supportive therapy for low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, half of all patients develop a loss of response to darbepoetin α within 12 months. However, few reports have described supportive therapy after the loss of response to darbepoetin α. CASE PRESENTATION We herein present a case involving a 65-year-old Japanese woman with low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome whose erythropoiesis-stimulating agent treatment was switched from darbepoetin α to epoetin β pegol (continuous erythropoietin receptor activator) to treat transfusion-dependent anemia. The frequent transfusions required to treat the anemia resulted in transfusion-associated circulatory overload. The transfusion-dependent anemia was initially treated with darbepoetin α, which negated the requirement for transfusion. However, after 12 months of darbepoetin α therapy, the hemoglobin concentration sharply declined. We switched her therapy from darbepoetin α to continuous erythropoietin receptor activator to avoid transfusion. After initiation of continuous erythropoietin receptor activator therapy, the hemoglobin concentration gradually increased and transfusion was not required. At the time of writing, no progression of the anemia had occurred. CONCLUSIONS Although darbepoetin α is the first-choice supportive therapy for low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, continuous erythropoietin receptor activator might be considered the second-choice therapy.