[Recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of the anemia of multiple myeloma with kidney failure].

A patient with advanced multiple myeloma (MM) and renal failure presented a severe chronic anemia requiring frequent blood transfusions. Treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) led to a rapid improvement of anemia, and further blood transfusions were not required. Pathophysiological studies about the erythropoiesis in patients with MM and trials with rHuEPO in myeloma-associated anemia are commented.