Comparative costs of treatment with epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa for anemia in the oncology and nephrology settings

Abstract

The presence of anemia adversely affects clinical- and patient-centered outcomes in patients whose health status is already compromised, such as those with cancer or chronic kidney disease. Treatment of anemia is an important component in the management of these diseases and has been shown to improve outcomes. The use of the erythropoietin-stimulating therapies epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa as alternatives to blood transfusion has demonstrated value in clinical trials, but both drugs are associated with high costs. Observational studies represent the next level of evaluation that can be used to evaluate and compare the costs and outcomes associated with each of these agents in actual clinical practice. Such studies, complemented by clinical trials and modeling, can help identify the least costly option and may characterize differences in effectiveness, so that payers can make informed decisions with regard to treatment and the appropriate use of these agents.

Keywords::

• anemia
• cancer
• chronic kidney disease
• darbepoetin alfa
• epoetin alfa
• erythropoietin-stimulating therapy
• health economics

Acknowledgements

The author is a consultant to Aequitas, which receives funding from Ortho Biotech LLC.