Selective metaphasic arrest of erythroblasts by vincristine in patients receiving high doses of recombinant human erythropoietin for myelosuppressive anemia.

As an introduction to a Satellite Symposium on the utilization of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) in hematology (Leukemia & Lymphoma 1992; 7 (Suppl.2): 94-100) a contribution to its mechanism of action was presented, and is published here. In three patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease treated with combination chemotherapy (MOPP) incorporating vincristine, and receiving at the same time a fixed daily dose of 8000 U of rHu-EPO subcutaneously for 10 to 15 days because of myelosuppressive anemia, myeloaspirates were performed one week before and 24 hours after the administration of vincristine. A dramatic accumulation of arrested metaphases in all stages of erythroblasts was found, while there was no augmentation of granulocytic metaphases. This is a further confirmation, following a previous contribution (Marmont AM: Haematol 1991; 76, 251-255), of the demonstration in man of the combined effects of erythropoietin as an erythroid mitogen and vincristine as a mitotic blocker.