Effectiveness of biosimilar drugs in the treatment of renal anemia: A case series

Abstract

Introduction Patients with chronic kidney disease usually have anemia secondary to an erythropoietin deficit. The emergence of biosimilar drugs of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents ensures broader access to these treatments. Objective This study analyzes the effectiveness of an epoetin α biosimilar drug in chronic kidney disease patients with anemia. Methods This observational retrospective study enrolled 111 consecutive outpatients with chronic kidney disease and anemia and criteria for using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. We collected baseline epidemiological and comorbidity data, as well as hematological and renal function infor-mation. We analyzed the effectiveness of the biosimilar agent in naïve patients and those who already had other erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Results The 111 included patients had a mean age of 83 ± 8 years, and 54% were males. We found that patients who previously received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, maintained hemoglobin values at two months of treatment with the biosimilar, while the naïve group significantly raised their hemoglobin values (P < 0.001). Renal function remained stable within the whole sample. The cost of using erythropoiesis-stimulating agents was reduced by a mean of 82 ± 17% with the biosimilar drug. Conclusion Using a biosimilar of epoetin α is effective in patients with chronic kidney disease and anemia and significantly reduces costs.

Keywords

• anemia
• biosimilar
• chronic kidney disease
• erythropoietin stimulating agents