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Both interferon (INF) and ribavirin (RBV) affect serum hemoglobin levels -- INF through bone-marrow suppression and RBV through reversible hemolysis. When these drugs are used together for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, 54% of patients experience hemoglobin decreases of 3 g/dL or more, and 35% of patients experience decreases of more than 25% from baseline. Because of the coincident bone-marrow suppression, anemia in such patients often leads to symptoms and can result in dosages of INF or RBV that are below levels thought to be efficacious. In this industry-supported, multicenter, open-label, randomized trial, researchers examined whether erythropoietin (EPO) might bolster hemoglobin levels and, thus, permit continuation o…