Intravenous iron for treating cancer-induced anemia: meeting an unmet need?

Recent restrictions on ESA use in cancer and chemotherapy induced anemias (CIA) leave a therapeutic void (1). Regulatory agencies throughout the world now recommend that, ESAs be proscribed when cure is a goal, administration be limited to the lowest dose which avoids transfusions and commencement of therapy be delayed until the hemoglobin level is less than 10 grams per deciliter with discontinuation at higher levels.