As an immunosuppressive agent, mTOR inhibitors exert dose-dependent effects on haematopoiesis, potentially leading to anaemia (Sánchez Fructuoso et al., 2007), and the inhibition of signal transduction via glycoprotein 130 (β) chain shared by certain cytokine receptors, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin may induce leukopenia and thrombocytopenia (Molina et al., 2012). Here, EPO is linked to anemia.