ASH Guidelines

Epoetin and Darbepoetin

Special Announcement: Effective July 31, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated the following changes to the labels for the erythropoiesis stimulating agents epoetin alfa and darbepoetin:

• ESAs are no longer indicated for patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy if the anticipated treatment outcome is cure. They remain indicated when myelosuppressive chemotherapy is intended for palliation.
  
  
• ESAs should not be initiated if the patient's hemoglobin is above 10 g/dL. Further, the label change
  • specifies that ESA treatment should target the lowest hemoglobin concentration that will avoid transfusion,
  • removes "...or exceeds 12 g/dL" as an upper range for ESA use, and
  • removes language that allowed earlier initiation of ESAs, or treatment to higher hemoglobin targets, if the patient cannot tolerate anemia due to a comorbid condition.

"American Society of Hematology/American Society of Clinical Oncology 2007 clinical practice guideline update on the use of epoetin and darbepoetin"
The latest research and evidence-based clinical guidelines about the use of epoetin for the treatment of cancer-related anemia. For a free pocket-guide summarizing these guidelines, please contact ASH Policy & Practice Assistant Matt Eckel.

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

"Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: A practice guideline developed by explicit methods for the American Society of Hematology"
This guideline is an evidence-based analysis of the diagnosis and management of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) developed by a panel of specialists sponsored by ASH.

Other Guidelines

Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy

The American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-based Clinical Practice Guideline on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy (8th Edition)
This guideline was prepared by the American College of Chest Physicians and was published online in the journal Chest in June of 2008. ASH is providing a link to this guideline as a service to our members.

von Willebrand Disease

"von Willebrand disease (VWD): evidence-based diagnosis and management guidelines, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Expert Panel report (USA)"
This guideline was prepared by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and was published online in the journal Haemophilia on February 29, 2008. ASH is providing a link to this guideline as a service to our members.

Stem Cell Research

"Guidelines for the Conduct of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research"
This guideline was developed by the International Society for Stem Cell Research and is endorsed by ASH.