Randomized study on hemoglobin response in iron-deficient anemic patients with solid maglignancies receiving epoetin alfa (rHuEPO) in combination with either oral or parental iron supplementation during treatment with non-platinum containing chemotherapy.

1. Confirmed diagnosis of a solid malignancy and planned to receive further non-platinum containing chemotherapy for at least 12 weeks;

2. Hb ¡Ü7.5 mmol/L at any time during chemotherapy;

3. TSAT <20% and/or serum ferritin < 100 ng/ml;

4. ECOG Performance Status of 0, 1 or 2;

5. Life expectancy at least 3 months;

6. Age between 18-75 years;

7. Sex: male or female. Female subjects must be either postmenopausal (for at least for 1 year), sterilised or, if of childbearing potential, be practising an acceptable method of birth control;

8. Subjects must have read and signed the informed consent form.

1. MCV <80fL and MCHC <19.5 mmol/L;

2. MCV > 100fL;

3. Clinically significant chronic blood loss;

4. Clinically significant disease/dysfunction of the pulmonary, cardio-vascular, endocrine, neurological, gastrointestinal, or genitourinary systems not attributable to underlying malignancy or chemotherapy. This dysfunction is only an exclusion criteria if it causes an expected early withdrawal from the study;

5. Uncontrolled hypertension, defined as a diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg, despite antihypertensive medication;

6. History of seizures;

7. Known hypersensitivity to Epoetin alfa or one of its components;

8. Administration of intravenous iron preparations within 3 months before study entry;

9. Participation in any other clinical trial involving unlicensed medication or procedures;

10. Androgen therapy within two months of study entry.