TY - JOUR AB - 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. AD - General Medicine and Hematology Regional Hospital ‘A. Cardarelli’, I-86100 Campobasso, Molise, Italy Department of Oncology, G. Martino University Hospital, I-98100 Messina, Messina, Italy G. Pascale Cancer Institute, I-80100 Naples, Campania, Italy Faculty of Pharmacology, G. D'Annunzio University, I-66100 Chieti, Chieti, Italy School of Medicine, University of Molise, I-86100 Campobasso, Molise, Italy Family Medicine, Regional Health Service, A. Cardelli, I-86100 Campobasso, Molise, Italy Services Department, Cardarelli Hospital, I-86100 Campobasso, Molise, Italy Medicine and Hematology Unit, Public Hospital, I-13900 Biella, Italy Faculty of Medicine, University ‘La Sapienza’, I-00185 Rome, Italy Department of Oncology, Regional Health Service, A. Cardelli, I-86100 Campobasso, Molise, Italy AU - Giordano,Giulio AU - Mondello,Patrizia AU - Tambaro,Rosa AU - Perrotta,Nicola AU - D'Amico,Fabio AU - D'Aveta,Antonietta AU - Berardi,Giuseppe AU - Carabellese,Bruno AU - Patriarca,Andrea AU - Corbi,Grazia ,Maria AU - Di Marzio,Luigi AU - Licianci,Antonietta AU - Berardi,Donata AU - Di Lullo,Liberato AU - Di Marco,Roberto DA - 2015/07/01 DO - 10.3892/mco.2015.555 EP - 784 IS - 4 JO - Mol Clin Oncol KW - myelodysplastic syndrome liposomal iron hemoglobin anemia PY - 2015 SN - 2049-9450 2049-9469 SP - 781 ST - 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 T2 - Molecular and Clinical Oncology TI - 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 UR - https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2015.555 VL - 3 ER -