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Bristoyiannis G, Germanos N, Grekas D, Hatzidimitriou C, Iatrou C, Memmos D, Moutafis S, Papachristoforou K, Papadoniou A, Pappas M, Sakellariou GA, Siamopoulos KC, Sombolos K, Stamatelou K, Stathakis CP, Stavgiannoudakis G, Stratigis S, Syrganis C, Tsakiris D, Valis D, Vlahojannis JG, Vlassopoulos D. Unit dosing of darbepoetin alfa for thetreatment of anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease being switched from recombinant human erythropoietin: Results of a phase IIIb, 27-week, multicenter, open-label study in Greek patients. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 2014; 66:195-211. [PMID: 24672123 DOI: 10.1016/j.curtheres.2005.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2005] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Darbepoetin alfa is an erythropoietis-stimulating glycoprotein with a ∼3-fold longer t1/2 and greater biological activity compared with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy andtolerability of long-term (24-week) darbepoetin alfa treatment in maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in the target range of 10 to 13 g/dL in patients undergoing dialysis; the patients were switched from rHuEPO to a less-frequent dosing regimen of darbepoetin alfa without an increase in dose. METHODS In this Phase IIlb, open-label, multicenter study, patients withend-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing dialysis who were receiving rHuEPO BIW or TIW at baseline were switched to darbepoetin alfa QW; patients receiving rHuEPO QW were switched to darbepoetin alfa Q2W Administration of darbepoetin alfa was by the same route as previous rHuEPO administration (IV or SC). Patients received darbepoetin alfa for 24 weeks, including a 20-week drug titration period followed by a 4-week, stable-dose evaluation period. The mode, dose, and frequency of administration of darbepoetin alfa were compared with those of baseline rHuEPO. Tolerability assessment was based on spontaneous reporting and laboratory tests (hematology, vital sign measurement, iron status, and biochemistry). RESULTS The study comprised 173 patients who were divided into 2 groups by route of administration (IV group, n = 146; SC group, n = 27). Mean (SE) adjusted increases in Hb concentration from baseline to the evaluation period for patients receiving darbepoetin alfa QW were 0.94 (0.32) g/dL and 0.38 (0.30) g/dL for the IV or SC routes, respectively (P = 0.004 and NS, respectively). For patients receiving darbepoetin alfa Q2W the mean (SE) adjusted increases in Hb concentration were 0.08 (0.53) g/dL and 0.48 (0.35) g/dL for the IV and SC routes, respectively (both, P = NS). No significant differences in IV/SC dose ratio were observed between the 2 routes of administration. In addition, no increases in darbepoetin alfa dose were observed. The most commonly reported adverse events were hypertension (8 patients [5%]) and vascular access thrombosis (4 [2%]). The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 6 (3%). CONCLUSIONS Darbepoetin alfa effectively maintained Hb concentrations within the target range without an increase in dose, even at a reduced dosing frequency. Overall, darbepoetin alfa was well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dimitrios Grekas
- Renal Unit, American-HellenicEducational Progressive Association (AHEPA) University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Christos Iatrou
- Renal Unit, General District Hospital of Nikea, Piraeus, Greece
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kostas C Siamopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina,Greece
| | | | | | | | | | - Spiros Stratigis
- Renal Unit, General District University Hospital of Heraklio, Crete, Greece
| | | | | | - Dimitris Valis
- Renal Unit, General Private Hospital Ygeia, Athens, Greece
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