Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Giordano, Giulio
• Mondello, Patrizia
• Tambaro, Rosa
• Perrotta, Nicola
• Damico, Fabio
• D'Aveta, Antonietta
• Berardi, Giuseppe
• Carabellese, Bruno
• Patriarca, Andrea
• Corbi, Grazia Maria
• Di Marzio, Luigi
• Licianci, Antonietta
• Berardi, Donata
• Di Lullo, Liberato
• Di Marco, Roberto

Titel

Biosimilar epoetin [alpha] is as effective as originator epoetin-[alpha] plus liposomal iron , vitamin B12 and folates in patients with refractory anemia: a retrospective real-life approach

Ist Teil von

• Molecular and clinical oncology, 2015-07, Vol.3 (4), p.41

Ort / Verlag

Spandidos Publications

Erscheinungsjahr

2015

Quelle

EZB Electronic Journals Library

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Several biosimilar versions of recombinant human erythropoietin are currently approved for use in Europe, including a biosimilar epoetin-[alpha]. The aim of this the study was to verify that biosimilar epoetin-[alpha] is similar in terms of efficacy, safety and cost to originator epoetin-[alpha] for the treatment of refractory anemia in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. A total of 92 patients with myelodysplasia and refractory anemia were investigated. The patients received either originator (group A) or biosimilar (group B) epoetin-a. In addition, they received liposomal iron (Sideral[R]), calcium levofolinate and vitamin B12. Moreover, the median monthly overall costs were calculated for each group. The results demonstrated that hemoglobin (Hb) levels increased by 1 g/dl after a median time of 5 weeks in group A and 4 weeks in group B. In group A, a Hb level of >12 g/dl was achieved after 12 weeks, while in group B after 10.5 weeks. The median cost of therapy was 1,536 euros/month in group A and 1,354 euros/month in group B. A total of 5 patients required transfusion support in group A and 7 in group B. In conclusion, biosimilar epoetin-[alpha] appears to be comparable to originator epoetin-[alpha] in terms of efficacy and safety for the treatment of refractory anemia. Key words: myelodysplastic syndrome, liposomal iron, hemoglobin, anemia