The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering whether two anemia-fighting drugs, often given to cancer patients, may in some cases stimulate tumor growth. The treatments are bioengineered versions of a human protein, erythropoietin, that stimulates production of red blood cells. Combined sales of the anemia drugs, which are given by injection, amount to several billion dollars a year. The medicines are prescribed for patients with cancer, kidney disease and other ailments to treat anemia, a deficiency of red blood cells that causes fatigue and other symptoms. Researchers said the findings were not definitive but did raise concerns.
Yahoo! News March 19, 2004