Two-year OS was higher in RCHT + EPO-treated versus RCHT-treated ( 28.5 % [ 95 % CI : 22.2-35 .1 % ] versus 20.6 % [ 95 % CI : 15.1-26 .8 % ] [ p = 0.2278 ] ) , and requirement for RBC transfusion was lower ( 24/195 [ 12.3 % ] versus 61/190 [ 32.1 % ] ) .