Biosimilar epoetin α is as effective as originator epoetin-α plus liposomal iron (Sideral®), vitamin B12 and folates in patients with refractory anemia: A retrospective real-life approach

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

  • Published online on: April 29, 2015     https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2015.555
  • Pages: 781-784
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Abstract

Several biosimilar versions of recombinant human erythropoietin are currently approved for use in Europe, including a biosimilar epoetin‑α. The aim of this the study was to verify that biosimilar epoetin‑α is similar in terms of efficacy, safety and cost to originator epoetin‑α 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‑α. In addition, they received liposomal iron (Sideral®), 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‑α appears to be comparable to originator epoetin‑α in terms of efficacy and safety for the treatment of refractory anemia.
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July-2015
Volume 3 Issue 4

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Spandidos Publications style
Giordano G, Mondello P, Tambaro R, Perrotta N, D'Amico F, D'Aveta A, Berardi G, Carabellese B, Patriarca A, Corbi GM, Corbi GM, et al: Biosimilar epoetin α is as effective as originator epoetin-α plus liposomal iron (Sideral®), vitamin B12 and folates in patients with refractory anemia: A retrospective real-life approach. Mol Clin Oncol 3: 781-784, 2015.
APA
Giordano, G., Mondello, P., Tambaro, R., Perrotta, N., D'Amico, F., D'Aveta, A. ... Di Marco, R. (2015). Biosimilar epoetin α is as effective as originator epoetin-α plus liposomal iron (Sideral®), vitamin B12 and folates in patients with refractory anemia: A retrospective real-life approach. Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 3, 781-784. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2015.555
MLA
Giordano, G., Mondello, P., Tambaro, R., Perrotta, N., D'Amico, F., D'Aveta, A., Berardi, G., Carabellese, B., Patriarca, A., Corbi, G. M., Di Marzio, L., Licianci, A., Berardi, D., Di Lullo, L., Di Marco, R."Biosimilar epoetin α is as effective as originator epoetin-α plus liposomal iron (Sideral®), vitamin B12 and folates in patients with refractory anemia: A retrospective real-life approach". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 3.4 (2015): 781-784.
Chicago
Giordano, G., Mondello, P., Tambaro, R., Perrotta, N., D'Amico, F., D'Aveta, A., Berardi, G., Carabellese, B., Patriarca, A., Corbi, G. M., Di Marzio, L., Licianci, A., Berardi, D., Di Lullo, L., Di Marco, R."Biosimilar epoetin α is as effective as originator epoetin-α plus liposomal iron (Sideral®), vitamin B12 and folates in patients with refractory anemia: A retrospective real-life approach". Molecular and Clinical Oncology 3, no. 4 (2015): 781-784. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2015.555