This is an open-label (both the physician and the patient know which treatment is being provided), multi-center study of up to 16 weeks duration in which 450 patients will be randomly assigned (patients are assigned to a specific study group by chance) to one of three treatment groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Patients will receive PROCRIT (epoetin alfa) 80,000 Units injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once every three weeks or 120,000 Units injected under the skin once every three weeks or ARANESP (darbepoetin alfa) 500 mcg injected under the skin once every three weeks for up to 13 weeks. PROCRIT (epoetin alfa) 80,000 Units and 120,000 Units given once every three weeks are doses and schedules that are not approved for use in the United States and are under investigation, while the ARANESP dose and schedule are approved for use in the United States. Adult patients with specific types of cancer (confirmed non-myeloid malignancy) who are scheduled to receive cyclic chemotherapy for a minimum of 12 weeks during the study and who meet all other eligibility criteria will be enrolled. This study will be conducted in approximately 80 study sites located in the United States.~The study hypothesis is that a dosing regimen of PROCRIT (Epoetin alfa) 80,000 Units or 120,000 Units given once every three weeks is non-inferior to ARANESP 500 mcg given once every three weeks with respect to the mean hemoglobin (Hb) change from baseline to Study Week 7 in anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Hemoglobin levels will be monitored throughout the study on a weekly basis and before each drug dose is administered. Drug dosing will be adjusted (ie, held, reduced, resumed at a lower dose) as needed to maintain hemoglobin values within desired ranges.~The maximum dose of PROCRIT (Epoetin alfa) allowed in this study is 120,000 Units every three weeks (Q3W) and the maximum dose of ARANESP (darbepoetin) is 500 mcg Q3W.~Safety evaluations will be conducted throughout the study and will consist of assessment of laboratory tests, vital signs, physical examinations. The occurrence and severity of adverse events, including thrombovascular events will be evaluated throughout the study.Periodic data monitoring of the study by an external Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) will be performed. The main responsibility of the IDMC is to conduct ongoing monitoring of safety and to report any irregularities back to the Sponsor along with recommendations regarding continuation of the study. Each patient will be assigned to one of three dosing schedules. All schedules will be administered by way of subcutaneous (under the skin) injection once every three weeks over a period of 13 weeks. The three dosing schedules are as follows: PROCRIT (epoetin alfa) 80,000 Units, PROCRIT (epoetin alfa) 120,000 Units or ARANESP (darbepoetin alfa) 500 mcg
The purpose of this study is to compare hemoglobin response rates between two PROCRIT (epoetin alfa) doses and ARANESP (darbepoetin alfa) in anemic cancer patients receiving chemotherapy