Iron Supplementation for Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia in Patients Receiving Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents.

Clinical Question: What are the benefits and harms of iron supplementation alone and as an adjunct to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) compared with ESA alone in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia?

Bottom Line: Addition of iron to ESAs improves hematopoietic response, reduces the need for red blood cell transfusions, increases hemoglobin levels, and seems to be well tolerated. The subgroup analyses suggest the superiority of parenteral iron over oral iron supplementation in the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia.