In contrast, treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin) leads to a long-lasting increase in the number of erythroid progenitor cells and red blood cell count, and is effective and safe for the alleviation of anaemia and transfusion requirements in patients with cancer (Cazzola et al, 1995; Rose et al, 1995; Dammacco et al, 1998; ten Bokkel Huinink et al, 1998). This evidence concerns the gene EPO and cancer.