Long-term effect of epoetin alfa on clinical and biochemical markers in friedreich ataxia

Saccà, F., Puorro, G., Marsili, A., Antenora, A., Pane, C., Casali, C., Marcotulli, C., Defazio, G., Liuzzi, D., Tatillo, C., Cambriglia, D. M., Schiano di Cola, G., Giuliani, L., Guardasole, V., Salzano, A., Ruvolo, A., De Rosa, A., Cittadini, A., De Michele, G. and Filla, A. (2016), Long-term effect of epoetin alfa on clinical and biochemical markers in friedreich ataxia. Mov. Disord.. doi: 10.1002/mds.26552

Although results are not in favor of an effect of epoetin alfa in Friedreich ataxia, this is the largest trial testing its effect. It is still possible that epoetin alfa may show some symptomatic effect on upper-limb performance. This study provides class I evidence that erythropoietin does not ameliorate VO2 max in patients with Friedreich ataxia.