- Patients with high or intermediate probability for response according to the predictive model (see Hellstrom-Lindberg et al, Br J Haematol 99:344-51 1997)should be refractory to EPO / darbepoetin (equivalent to > 60 000 U of EPO / week for > 8 weeks) followed by EPO + G-CSF for > 8 weeks, or biosimilar drugs in equipotent doses, or EPO + G-CSF upfront for 8 weeks. Patients with low probability for response according to the predictive model, could be included without prior EPO/G-CSF treatment