Conversion from Epoetin Alfa to Darbepoetin Alfa in Hemodialysis Patients: Effectiveness and Variability in Anemia Treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 173
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nahla E. El-Ashmawy ◽  
Eman G. Khedr ◽  
Nahla S. Kotb ◽  
Fathi Salem ◽  
Amera O. Ibrahim

Background: Anemia is one of the most common complications of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The vast majority of Egyptian CKD patients are interchangeably treated with Darbepoetin Alfa (DPA) and Epoetin Alfa (EPA) to achieve and maintain target hemoglobin levels. Our study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of DPA versus EPA for managing anemia amongst Egyptian patients with CKD undergoing dialysis. Methods: A multicenter, open label, randomized, prospective, parallel study was conducted. Patients with CKD undergoing dialysis with Hb level <10 g/dl were enrolled. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in hemoglobin concentration at the evaluation period (weeks 20-24). Pre-specified adverse events of interest following administration, including blood transfusions requirement, blood pressure and hemoglobin excursions, the relationship between C - Reactive Protein (CRP) and hemoglobin, were assessed. Findings:: Only 98 of 104 enrolled patients completed the study, fifty patients received EPA, and 48 patients received DPA. Our results showed that a significantly higher percentage of patients who achieved target Hb level ≥ 11 g/dL in DPA treated group vs. EPA as well as the meantime to achieve Hb level ≥ 10 g/dL was shorter in DPA treated group. Safety profiles of both treatments were similar. A negative correlation was observed between serum CRP and hemoglobin level in hemodialysis patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that DPA was more effective and well tolerated in achieving and maintaining Hb levels with lower dosing frequency compared to EPA. Furthermore, CRP is recommended to be routinely measured where patients with higher CRP require high ESA doses.


2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 571-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erdal Sarac ◽  
Anand Chikyarappa ◽  
Brian Sabol ◽  
David Gemmel ◽  
Denise Globe ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
I. O. Dudar ◽  
E. K. Krasjuk ◽  
Y. I. Honchar ◽  
O. M. Loboda ◽  
I. M. Shifris ◽  
...  

 Abstract. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EMAVAIL (epoetin alfa) in the correction of anemia in hemodialysis patients. Methods. A total of 36 patients undergoing regular hemodialysis were enrolled in this prospective study. Among the patients were 19 (53%) men and 17 (47%) women with severe anemia (hemoglobin (Hb) level ≤ 90 g/L). The mean patients' age was 48.41±1.82 years, an average dialysis vintage consisted of 42.38±10.41 months. All the patients had thrice-weekly hemodialysis sessions, with a mean duration of 12.6 ± 0.51 hours per week and Kt/V 1.27 ± 0.08. All the patients were treated with biosimilar of epoetin alfa EMAVAIL intravenously three times a week in adjustable doses. The follow-up period was 56 days. Results. At the study entry, the mean Hb level in hemodialysis patients was 81.7±0,93 g/L. In 56 days of anemia treatment, the concentration of Hb increased to 109.17±1.75 g/L. Eventually, 32 (89%) patients achieved the target Hb level (110 g/L); 6 (17%) patients had adverse events (mild hypertension). There were no serious adverse events. Conclusions. EMAVAIL is an effective and safe epoetin alfa biosimilar for anemia management in hemodialysis patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 48-61
Author(s):  
V. B. Larionova ◽  
I. S. Krysanov ◽  
A. V. Snegovoy ◽  
P. A. Zeinalova ◽  
V. S. Krysanova ◽  
...  

Modern anticancer therapy due to its intensity and molecular biology orientation allows achieving higher efficiency and theoretically reducing the incidence of complications. However, the increase in efficacy in the modern oncology really exists, but reducing complication frequency, unfortunately, is far from being solved. In many respects the problems of diagnosis, treatment and complications monitoring are associated with the impact on the complex physiological processes occurring in oncological patient. Timely implementation of modern and adequate programs for the prevention and treatment of these complications defines the concept of “supportive therapy”, which provides at least half the effectiveness of antitumor treatment.To date, according to most studies, the most frequent complications of antitumor therapy are hematologic, in particular – anemia. In clinical practice, blood transfusions, recombinant human erythropoietins, hemopoiesis stimulating cofactors are used to correct this type of complications. The need for anemia treatment is determined by its negative impact on quality of life, as well as a negative prognostic impact on the life expectancy of cancer patients, because hypoxia of tumor tissue can be associated with resistance to chemoand radiation therapy, the stimulation of genetic mutations and neoangiogenesis, which make it difficult to control of tumor growth. In numerous studies using multivariate analysis confirmed the association of low hemoglobin levels and/or tumor tissue hypoxia with worsening prognosis and overall survival in many types of tumors. The modern anemia treatment should not be determined only by increased in hemoglobin level, but should be considered as an active prophylaxis for its reducing. Recombinant forms of human erythropoietin and intravenous forms of iron preparations should be the most popular correction methods in everyday practice.The high cost of complex anemia therapy and the social significance of oncological diseases necessitate a pharmaco-economic analysis of registered in Russia erythropoietin preparations and the optimization of existing anemia treatment regimens in cancer patients in order to reduce the expenditures of the health budget. At present, an active import substitution program is underway in the Russian Federation to support the development of the Russian pharmaceutical industry and provide the population with more affordable medicines while maintaining its quality and efficiency. The need to address these issues, and the effective use of the domestic biological analogue epoetin alfa, served as an excuse for performing a comparative clinical and economic analysis. They were selected drugs that differ in pharmacokinetic properties: Eralfon® – analogue of epoetin alfa and Aranesp® – darbepoetin alfa.The treatment model of adults oncological patients with anemia receiving chemotherapy was created, which takes into account various therapies using erythropoietin preparations. The total therapy cost for an oncological patient with anemia is less when using short-acting erythropoietin – epoetin alfa – 131 609 rubles in comparison with the long-acting erythropoietin – darbepoetin alfa – 245 159.2 rubles, the difference was 113 550.2 rubles (–46 %) in favor of the epoetin alfa.According to pharmaco-economic analysis, the treatment of anemia with a Russian-produced drug epoetin alfa (Eralfon®) is preferred in comparison to darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) in adult cancer patients with nonmyeloid malignancies in the Russian Federation, as it allows increasing the number of treated patients at a cost reduction.


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