Once-every-2-weeks and once-weekly epoetin beta regimens: equivalency in hemodialyzed patients.
BACKGROUND
Currently, less frequent than once-weekly subcutaneous epoetin administration regimens were shown to be equally effective and safe as once-weekly schedules in stable predialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients. Bioequivalency of once-every-2-weeks and once-weekly subcutaneous administration of the same total dose of epoetin beta for the maintenance phase of anemia treatment in stable iron-replete long-term hemodialysis patients therefore was investigated prospectively.


METHODS
Two hundred seven stable selected hemodialysis patients without diabetes, acute illness, significant inflammation, malnutrition or hyperparathyroidism administered once-weekly subcutaneous epoetin beta and preserving stable hemoglobin levels between 10 and 12 g/dL (100 and 120 g/L; difference between maximum and minimum of 3 subsequent levels <or=2.5 g/dL [<or=25 g/L]) and optimal iron status for at least 8 weeks before inclusion were enrolled and randomly assigned to subcutaneous administration of the same total dose of epoetin beta either once every 2 weeks (group 2w; n = 104) or once weekly (group 1w; n = 103) for 24 weeks.


RESULTS
Per-protocol analyses (group 1w = 102 versus group 2w = 101) showed similar hemoglobin levels throughout the assessment period (weeks 13 to 24): mean, 11.38 g/dL; 95% confidence interval (CI), 11.23 to 11.54 versus 11.41 g/dL; 95% CI, 11.22 to 11.58. Mean difference was 0.028 g/dL (95% CI, -0.208 to 0.264) in the prespecified range (+/-0.5 g/dL). Epoetin dose ratio of group 2w to group 1w was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.813 to 1.076), also in the prespecified range of equivalence (0.80 to 1.25). Hemoglobin levels and epoetin doses were stable during the study irrespective of treatment schedule, with no differences between groups at any time. Both schedules were well tolerated.


CONCLUSIONS
Once-every-2-weeks and once-weekly subcutaneous epoetin beta regimens are equivalent in the maintenance phase of anemia treatment in long-term stable hemodialysis patients without diabetes, with similar safety profiles.
Mircescu
Gabriel
G
Dr. Carol Davila Teaching Hospital of Nephrology.
Gârneată
Liliana
L
Ciocâlteu
Alexandru
A
Golea
Ovidiu
O
Gherman-Căprioară
Mirela
M
Capsa
Dimitrie
D
Mota
Eugen
E
Gusbeth-Tatomir
Paul
P
Ghenu
Adrian
A
Bălută
Simona
S
Constantinovici
Niculae
N
Covic
Adrian Constantin
AC
D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin