Cisplatin-induced anemia: a potential interference with iron metabolism at erythroid progenitors level.

To elucidate the potential mechanisms of anemia induced by cisplatin (CDDP) we have evaluated hemolysis, dyserythropoiesis, ferrokinetics and cytotoxicity on erythroid progenitors in 12 patients treated by a CDDP-containing combination chemotherapy and in 6 patients treated by a similar combination but without CDDP. Eight patients, from the CDDP treated group, experienced a pronounced anemia. None had signs of hemolysis. Ferrokinetic study showed a very deep and protracted decrease of 59Fe incorporation during the chemotherapy cycle and the following 2 weeks. These results, along with a normal medullary erythroblastic cellularity, suggest that CDDP induces a deep but transient erythropoiesis alteration leading to anemia in some cases.