The prophylactic application of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) is capable of preventing anaemia and to decrease the frequency of transfusions in patients receiving cisplatin-based and non-platinum containing chemotherapy in several clinical trials (Henry, 1998; Ludwig and Fritz, 1998; Thatcher, 1999; Adamson and Ludwig, 1999; Crawford et al, 1999; Ponchio et al, 2000). This evidence concerns the gene EPO and anemia.