EPO and colorectal cancer: Similarly, although the administration of recombinant human erythropoietin could theoretically stimulate erythropoiesis in a dose-dependent manner [14] and relieve the need for blood transfusion, there has been limited evidence regarding the ability of recombinant human erythropoietin to reduce the need for blood transfusion in patients undergoing surgery for bowel/colorectal cancer.