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 information. 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 eerythropoiesis-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.