Highlights of the Annual Dialysis Conference: Chronic Kidney Disease Related-Anemia

February 18-20, 2007; Denver, Colorado

Anne G. Le, PharmD, RPh

April 02, 2007

Novel Agents for the Treatment of Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease

Epoetin or darbepoetin alfa have suggested dosing regimens of 2-3 times/week to once every 1-2 weeks, but methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, a novel ESA currently under development for the treatment of anemia in patients with CKD, may allow for extension of the dosing interval while providing maintenance hemoglobin levels. Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta is chemically synthesized and is different from erythropoietin by switching the bonds between the amino groups and methoxy polyethylene glycol-succinimidyl butanoic acid. This novel agent has been designed to have reduced receptor affinity and decreased receptor mediated elimination. In clinical trials, methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta has a serum half-life of 133 ± 9.83 hours (IV) and 137 ± 21.9 hours (SC) and its pharmacokinetics support a different interaction with the epoetin receptor. Because of this long half-life, dosing at extended intervals (every 4 weeks, or once a month) may be possible. In contrast, the in vivo serum half-life of epoetin beta is approximately 8 hours. What follows are summarizations of key data that were presented on methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta and other issues surrounding anemia management in patients with CKD.

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Cite this: Highlights of the Annual Dialysis Conference: Chronic Kidney Disease Related-Anemia - Medscape - Apr 02, 2007.

Introduction to Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease
Novel Agents for the Treatment of Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease
Efficacy and Safety of Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Epoetin Beta
Anemia Management in Predialysis Diabetics and in Those on Dialysis
Switching From Epoetin to Darbepoetin Alfa: Impact on Anemia Management
Conclusions
References

Table. Laboratory Values During the PRE and POST Periods
Laboratory Value	PRE (mean ± SEM)	POST (mean ± SEM)	P Value
BUN (mg/dL)	51 ± 2	51 ± 2	NS
URR (%)	70 ± 2	69 ± 2	NS
Hemoglobin (g/dL)	12.7 ± 0.2	11.8 ± 0.3	.0105
Iron saturation (%)	30 ± 1	28 ± 1	NS
Ferritin (ng/mL)	292 ± 64	462 ± 73	.0761

BUN = blood urea nitrogen; NS = not significant; SEM = standard error of the mean; URR = urea reduction ratio

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