THE CLINICAL EFFICACY OF EPOETIN ALFA AND DARBEPOETIN ALFA IN PATIENTS WITH LOW-RISK OR INTERMEDIATE-1-RISK MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME: RETROSPECTIVE MULTI-CENTER REAL-LIFE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in the real-life setting. A total of 204 patients with low-risk or intermediate-1-risk MDS who received epoetin alfa or darbepoetin alfa were included. Hemoglobin levels and transfusion need were recorded before and during 12-month treatment. Hemoglobin levels were significantly higher at each follow up visit when compared to baseline levels in both epoetin alfa (mean ± SD 8.68 ± 1.0 g/dL at baseline vs. 9.83 ± 1.45, 9.99 ± 1.55, 10.24 ± 1.77 and 10.2 ± 1.5 g/dL, respectively) and darbepoetin alfa (8.83 ± 1.09 g/dL at baseline vs. 9.62 ± 1.37, 9.78 ± 1.49, 9.9 ± 1.39 and 10.1 ± 1.5 g/dL, respectively) groups (p < 0.001 for each). Transfusion need significantly decreased from baseline at each study visit in the epoetin alfa group (p < 0.001) and only at the 12th month visit (p < 0.001) in the darbepoetin alfa group. Hemoglobin levels or transfusion need was similar between treatment groups. Overall, 12-month response rate was 58.1% for epoetin alfa and 41.9% for darbepoetin alfa, with no significant difference between treatment groups, whereas higher response rate was noted within the first three months (62.7%) compared to next 9 months (ranged 44.4–60%) of treatment in the epoetin alfa group (p ranged 0.002 to < 0.001). This real-life retrospective study revealed similar efficacy of epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa among low risk or intermediate-1 risk MDS patients with no difference in treatment response between treatment groups, whereas a likelihood of earlier treatment response in the epoetin alfa group.