In addition, the beneficial effects of erythropoietin on anaemia, functional status and quality of life of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy have been demonstrated by several large randomised (Abels, 1993; Cascinu et al, 1995; Savonije et al, 2005) and nonrandomised studies (Glaspy et al, 1997; Demetri et al, 1998). This evidence concerns the gene EPO and anemia (phenotype).