title: A randomized control study on the procedure for switching epoetin beta (EPO) to epoetin beta pegol (CERA) in the treatment of renal anemia in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the method of switching EPO to CERA that does not cause a decrease in the Hb level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty EPO-treated patients were randomly divided into two groups in which CERA was administered every two weeks (Q2W) or every four weeks (Q4W). After 8 weeks of treatment, the frequency of administration was changed to Q4W in the former. Follow-up was performed for 24 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the Hb level between the two groups until 6 weeks. In the Q2W group, the Hb maintained a stable level throughout a study period. However, in the Q4W group, the Hb level was significantly lower than in the Q2W group at weeks 9, 11, and 13.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPO switching to CERA without a decrease in the Hb level could be achieved by administering CERA every two weeks, but not every four weeks, for a specific period after switching.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hemovascular Medicine and Artificial Organs, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsunori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Toida
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Norihiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: Shouichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D057915:Drug Substitution; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D064451:Hepcidins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D064451:Hepcidins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014168:Transferrin; C508420:continuous erythropoietin receptor activator; C103998:epoetin beta; C545475:hepcidin 25, human; D004921:Erythropoietin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005293:Ferritins