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Epoetin Alfa Once Every 2 Weeks Is Effective for Initiation of Treatment of Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease

Robert Benz^*, Rebecca Schmidt, Kathleen Kelly, and Marsha Wolfson

^* Division of Nephrology, Lankenau Hospital & Research Center, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania; Section of Nephrology, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia; and Ortho Biotech Clinical Affairs, L.L.C., Bridgewater, New Jersey

Address correspondence to: Dr. Robert Benz, Division of Nephrology, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, 100 Lancaster Avenue, Suite 130, Wynnewood, PA 19096. Phone: 610-649-1175; Fax: 610-896-8753; E-mail: benz{at}op.net

There are limited data suggesting that initiation of epoetin alfa at extended dosing intervals of every 2, 3, or 4 wk may be efficacious for treating anemia in patients who have chronic kidney disease and are not on dialysis (CKD-NOD). This open-label, multicenter, single-arm study investigated the efficacy of administration of 20,000 IU of epoetin alfa once every 2 wk as initiation therapy in these patients. Adults with CKD-NOD were eligible when they had hemoglobin (Hb) <11 g/dl, GFR of 10 to 60 ml/min per 1.73 m², and stable serum creatinine for the past 6 mo. Patients received 20,000 IU of epoetin alfa subcutaneously every 2 wk for up to 27 wk, with dosage adjustments permitted after 4 wk of treatment. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of patients with Hb response, defined as achievement of the target Hb range of 11 to 12 g/dl for at least two consecutive visits. Sixty-seven patients were enrolled; >88% (59 of 67) of patients achieved an Hb response. Mean Hb increased to the targeted range by week 6 and remained in the range through week 28. Hb increases of 1 and 2 g/dl were observed in 91 and 78% of patients, respectively. Epoetin Alfa was well tolerated; most adverse events were mild or moderate in nature and typical of the CKD patient population. In this study, results demonstrated that epoetin alfa can be initiated safely and effectively at an extended dosing interval of 20,000 IU every 2 wk in patients with CKD-NOD.

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