Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Neuroprotective Effects of Epoetin Alfa in Patients Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

摘要

Adjuvant treatment with doxombicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) clearly prolongs the overall survival in women with breast cancer. In U.S.A only, over 100, 000 women will receive adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer every year. Cognitive deficits (e.g. problems with memory and concentration) are common during and after adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy, but the pathophysiology of these phenomena is unknown. More importantly, treatment of the cognitive dysfunction, which can limit the quality of life of survivors, has not been investigated. We hypothesize that %O water PET scan along with neuropsychological tests can evaluate the effectiveness of EPO as a treatment for cognitive dysfunction and identify the pathophysiology of cognitive dysfunction in patients receiving. The specific aims of the study are to: examine the efficacy of EPO as a treatment of cognitive impairment associated with adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and to examine the neural changes associated with cognitive dysfunction in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer using 150 water PET scans.