Efficacy of oral iron therapy in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia: A real-world retrospective study
Suriyon Uitrakul1★, Siddhibhong Jongkraijakra1, Tongthong Buatoom1, Tapprakrob Jingjit1, Napatsorn Kunakornkirati1, Apichaya Jantataeme2, Erhan Aptullahoglu3★ Corresponding author
- 1Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
- 2Division of Internal Medicine, Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital, Mueng, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
- 3Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Bilecik Şeyh Edebali University, Bilecik, Türkiye.
CORRESPONDENCE
Suriyon Uitrakul
Department of Pharmaceutical Care, School of Pharmacy, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand.
Received: 15-04-2026; Accepted: 04-06-2026.
Volume 24, Issue 3 · pp. 3666 · PUBLISHED 20 August 2026 · DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2026.3.3666
ABSTRACT
Objective: Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is one of the most common adverse effects found in cancer patients. This condition not only affects the quality of life of the patients but can also delay their regular chemotherapeutic administration. As erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and parenteral iron therapy are not commonly affordable in Thailand, this study aimed to observe the clinical response of the patients receiving oral iron therapy for CIA. Methods: Patient medication charts of all patients with CIA and without other causes of anemia were reviewed. Baseline characteristics, clinical data, and blood-related laboratory results were collected before treatment. Clinical response, defined as hemoglobin ≥12.0 g/dL or an increase in hemoglobin ≥2.0 g/dL, was assessed at 3 months after treatment. Results: During the study period, there were 77 patients with oral 200 mg Ferrous Fumarate trice daily and 68 patients without oral iron therapy. Baseline characteristics of the patients in both groups were similar, especially the blood-related values. The response rate of the patients using oral iron was 10.39%, while the other group was 0% (p-value 0.007). In addition, the mean changes in hemoglobin of the patients receiving oral iron for 3 months and not receiving oral iron were 0.13 and -0.43 g/dL, respectively (p-value 0.005). Conclusion: Oral iron supplementation had a statistically significant benefit of hemoglobin development, despite not much increase. For patients with CIA who cannot afford ESA or parenteral iron, oral iron therapy should be taken into account.
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Uitrakul, S., Jongkraijakra, S., Buatoom, T., Jingjit, T., Kunakornkirati, N., Jantataeme, A., & Aptullahoglu, E. (2026). Efficacy of oral iron therapy in cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia: A real-world retrospective study. Pharmacy Practice, 24(3), 3666. https://doi.org/10.18549/PharmPract.2026.3.3666