RBC Transfusions Among Hemodialysis Patients (1999-2010): Influence of Hemoglobin Concentrations Below 10 g/dL

Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of Roxadustat for Treatment of Anemia in Patients with Non-Dialysis-Dependent CKD: Pooled Results of Three Randomized Clinical Trials

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the efficacy and cardiovascular safety of roxadustat versus placebo by analyzing data pooled from three phase 3 studies of roxadustat in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD and CKD-related anemia.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

In the three phase 3, double-blind studies of roxadustat versus placebo evaluating the treatment of CKD-related anemia in patients not requiring dialysis, the primary efficacy end point was mean change from baseline in hemoglobin averaged over weeks 28-52, regardless of rescue therapy. The primary cardiovascular safety end point was a composite measure of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke). MACE plus (MACE+; MACE plus unstable angina and heart failure requiring hospitalization) and all-cause mortality were key secondary safety end points. These safety end points were adjudicated.

RESULTS

A total of 4277 patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD were randomized (roxadustat, n=2391; placebo, n=1886). Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups; the mean (SD) hemoglobin was 9.1 (0.7) g/dl and mean eGFR was 20 (12) ml/min per 1.73 m². Patients treated with roxadustat versus those treated with placebo showed a mean change from baseline in hemoglobin averaged over weeks 28-52, regardless of rescue therapy, of 1.9 versus 0.2 g/dl, a treatment difference of 1.7 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.7 to 1.8). Roxadustat reduced the need for red blood cell transfusion in the first 52 weeks versus placebo (6.1 versus 20.4 per 100 patient-exposure years, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 0.26; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.32). There were no increased risks of MACE (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.27), MACE+ (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.21), all-cause mortality (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.26), or individual MACE+ components in patients treated with roxadustat versus those treated with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Roxadustat was more effective than placebo at increasing hemoglobin in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD and anemia, while decreasing transfusion rate and being noninferior to placebo with respect to risk of MACE.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER

A Study of FG-4592 for the Treatment of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Not Receiving Dialysis, NCT01750190; Roxadustat in the Treatment of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Not Requiring Dialysis (ALPS), NCT01887600; Safety and Efficacy Study of Roxadustat to Treat Anemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Not on Dialysis, NCT02174627.

A Randomized Trial of Roxadustat in Anemia of Kidney Failure: SIERRAS Study

INTRODUCTION

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, standard of care for anemia of end-stage kidney disease, are associated with cardiovascular events. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of roxadustat, an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor that stimulates erythropoiesis.

METHODS

SIERRAS was a phase 3, randomized, open-label, active-controlled study enrolled adults on dialysis for end-stage kidney disease receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for anemia. Patients were randomized (1:1) to thrice-weekly roxadustat or epoetin alfa. Doses were based on previous epoetin alfa dose and adjusted in the roxadustat arm to maintain hemoglobin at ∼11 g/dl during treatment. Epoetin alfa dosing was adjusted per US package insert. Primary efficacy endpoint was mean hemoglobin (g/dl) change from baseline averaged over weeks 28 to 52. Treatment-emergent adverse events were monitored.

RESULTS

Enrolled patients (roxadustat, n = 370 and epoetin alfa, n = 371) had similar mean (SD) baseline hemoglobin levels (10.30 [0.66] g/dl). Mean (SD) hemoglobin changes for weeks 28 to 52 were 0.39 (0.93) and -0.09 (0.84) in roxadustat and epoetin alfa, respectively. Roxadustat was noninferior (least squares mean difference: 0.48 [95% confidence interval: 0.37, 0.59]; P < 0.001) to epoetin alfa. Tolerability was comparable between treatments.

CONCLUSION

In end-stage kidney disease, roxadustat was noninferior to epoetin alfa in up to 52 weeks of treatment in this erythropoietin-stimulating agent conversion study. Roxadustat had an acceptable tolerability profile.

Roxadustat for anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease incident to dialysis

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of roxadustat versus epoetin alfa for the treatment of chronic kidney disease-related anemia in patients new to dialysis.

METHODS

HIMALAYAS was a Phase 3, open-label, epoetin alfa-controlled trial. Eligible adults were incident to hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis for 2 weeks to ≤4 months prior to randomization and had mean hemoglobin (Hb) ≤10.0 g/dL. Primary endpoints were mean Hb (g/dL) change from baseline averaged over Weeks 28-52 regardless of rescue therapy [non-inferiority criterion: lower limit of 95% confidence interval (CI) for treatment difference >-0.75] and percentage of patients achieving an Hb response between Weeks 1 and 24 censored for rescue therapy (non-inferiority margin for between-group difference -15%). Adverse events were monitored.

RESULTS

The intent-to-treat population included patients randomized to roxadustat (n = 522) or epoetin alfa (n = 521). Mean (standard deviation) Hb changes from baseline averaged over Weeks 28-52 were 2.57 (1.27) and 2.36 (1.21) in the roxadustat and epoetin alfa groups. Roxadustat was non-inferior [least squares mean difference: 0.18 (95% CI 0.08, 0.29)] to epoetin alfa. Percentages of patients with an Hb response were 88.2% and 84.4% in the roxadustat and epoetin alfa groups, respectively. Roxadustat was non-inferior to epoetin alfa [treatment-group difference 3.5% (95% CI -0.7%, 7.7%)]. Adverse event rates were comparable between treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Roxadustat was efficacious for correcting and maintaining Hb levels compared with epoetin alfa. Roxadustat had an acceptable safety profile.

A Randomized Trial of Strategies Using Darbepoetin Alfa To Avoid Transfusions in CKD

BACKGROUND

Exposure to high doses or a high cumulative dose of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) may contribute to cardiovascular events in patients with CKD and anemia. Whether using a low fixed ESA dose versus dosing based on a hemoglobin-based, titration-dose algorithm in such patients might reduce risks associated with high ESA doses and decrease the cumulative exposure-while reducing the need for red blood cell transfusions-is unknown.

METHODS

In this phase-3, randomized trial involving 756 adults with stage-3 to -5 CKD and anemia, we evaluated incidence of red blood cell transfusions for participants randomized to receive darbepoetin given as a fixed dose (0.45 µg/kg every 4 weeks) versus administered according to a hemoglobin-based, titration-dose algorithm, for up to 2 years. Participants received transfusions as deemed necessary by the treating physician.

RESULTS

There were 379 patients randomized to the fixed-dose group, and 377 to the titration-dose group. The percentage of participants transfused did not differ (24.1% and 24.4% for the fixed-dose and titration-dose group, respectively), with similar time to first transfusion. The titration-dose group achieved significantly higher median hemoglobin (9.9 g/dl) compared with the fixed-dose group (9.4 g/dl). The fixed-dose group had a significantly lower median cumulative dose of darbepoetin (median monthly dose of 30.9 µg) compared with the titration-dose group (53.6 µg median monthly dose). The FD and TD group received a median (Q1, Q3) cumulative dose per 4 weeks of darbepoetin of 30.9 (21.8, 40.0) µg and 53.6 (31.1, 89.9) µg, respectively; the median of the difference between treatment groups was -22.1 (95% CI, -26.1 to -18.1) µg.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate no evidence of difference in incidence of red blood cell transfusion for a titration-dose strategy versus a fixed-dose strategy for darbepoetin. This suggests that a low fixed dose of darbepoetin may be used as an alternative to a dose-titration approach to minimize transfusions, with less cumulative dosing.

A real-world longitudinal study of anemia management in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients: a multinational analysis of CKDopps

Previously lacking in the literature, we describe longitudinal patterns of anemia prescriptions for non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD) patients under nephrologist care. We analyzed data from 2818 Stage 3-5 NDD-CKD patients from Brazil, Germany, and the US, naïve to anemia medications (oral iron, intravenous [IV] iron, or erythropoiesis stimulating agent [ESA]) at enrollment in the CKDopps. We report the cumulative incidence function (CIF) of medication initiation stratified by baseline characteristics. Even in patients with hemoglobin (Hb) < 10 g/dL, the CIF at 12 months for any anemia medication was 40%, and 28% for ESAs. Patients with TSAT < 20% had a CIF of 26% and 6% for oral and IV iron, respectively. Heart failure was associated with earlier initiation of anemia medications. IV iron was prescribed to < 10% of patients with iron deficiency. Only 40% of patients with Hb < 10 g/dL received any anemia medication within a year. Discontinuation of anemia treatment was very common. Anemia treatment is initiated in a limited number of NDD-CKD patients, even in those with guideline-based indications to treat. Hemoglobin trajectory and a history of heart failure appear to guide treatment start. These results support the concept that anemia is sub-optimally managed among NDD-CKD patients in the real-world setting.

Severity of frailty as a significant predictor of mortality for hemodialysis patients: a prospective study in China

Background: Frailty is known to be highly prevalent in older hemodialysis (HD) patients. We studied the prevalence of frailty and its associated factors in Chinese HD patients. We further studied if frailty could predict survival in HD patients. Methods: This is a prospective study involving patients receiving maintenance HD in the dialysis center of Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing. Study subjects were enrolled from October to December, 2017 and followed up for two years. Demographic data, comorbidities and biological parameters were collected. Frailty was assessed using the Fried frailty phenotype at baseline. Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the relationship between frailty and mortality in HD patients. Kaplan-Meier was plotted using the cutoff value obtained by ROC curve to evaluate survival rates in different frailty status. Results: Total of 208 HD patients were enrolled with a mean age of 60.5±12.7 years. According to the frailty criteria, at baseline the prevalence of robust, pre-frail and frail in HD patients was 28.7%, 45.9%, and 25.4%, respectively. The two-year all-cause mortality was 18.8% (39/207) and underlying causes of death included coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), hyperkalemia, severe infection, malignant tumor and others. Survival curve showed the patients with frailty score ≥4 to have significantly shorter survival time as compared to patients with frailty score ≤ 3. Frailty predicted two-year mortality when frailty score ≥4 with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 83.67% with an AUC of 0.819. Frailty score was positively associated with age and ratio of ultrafiltration volume to dry weight, while negatively associated with levels of serum albumin, uric acid and diastolic blood pressure after HD. Conclusions: Our results confirm frailty to be very common among HD patients and severity of frailty was a significant predictor of mortality for HD patients. Factors such as age, malnutrition and low blood pressure are the factors to be associated with frailty. Interdialytic weight gain inducing excessive ultrafiltration volume is an important risk factor.

An overview on safety issues related to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for the treatment of anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease

INTRODUCTION

Erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) are effective drugs, which have been used for decades in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with few side effects. More recently, concern has been raised around their safety, from higher cardiovascular and thrombosis risk to cancer progression and increased mortality.

AREAS COVERED

We made a literature search on PubMed looking for adverse effects of ESA in CKD patients. The topics covered are cardiovascular adverse events, thrombosis, increased mortality, hypertension, cancer progression, diabetic retinopathy, pure red cell aplasia and anaphylactic reactions.

EXPERT OPINION

Concerns around ESA therapy have questioned treatment indications in high-risk CKD patients (those with cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular comorbidities). A more cautious approach has then prevailed. In our opinion, intermediate Hb values (Hb 10-12 g/dl) should be aimed with ESA therapy, being more cautious in high-risk patients. As a consequence, IV iron is administered more frequently. However, excessive iron use may cause iron overload and in rare cases severe anaphylactic reactions. There are expectations of new erythropoietic agents, such as those manipulating the hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) system. Differing from ESAs, they stimulate the production of endogenous EPO, avoiding over-physiological plasmatic levels.

Total Red Blood Cell Transfusions for Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in a Single Center, 2009-2013

BACKGROUND

Anemia management in chronic hemodialysis (HD) has been affected by the implementation of the prospective payment system (PPS) and changes in clinical guidelines. These factors could impact red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in HD patients. Our distinctive care system contains complete records for all RBC transfusions among our HD patients.

AIMS

To determine RBC transfusions in patients with prevalent chronic HD, site of administration (inpatient or outpatient), and ordering physician specialty for inpatients; compare pre- and post-PPS RBC transfusions; and compare RBC transfusions during changes in desired outpatient hemoglobin (Hb) range for patients with chronic HD.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of medical and blood bank records for patients with prevalent chronic HD July 2009 through June 2013.

RESULTS

In total, 310-356 patients were studied. Mean (SD) units of RBCs per 100 patients per month for the study's 48 months were outpatient, 2.6 (1.5), and inpatient, 9.4 (4.6). Outpatient pre-PPS RBC units transfused were 2.1 (0.6) vs. post-PPS of 2.6 (1.5; p = 0.22, t test); for inpatients pre-PPS, 7.9 (4.5) RBC units per month vs. post-PPS, 11.5 (5.1; p = 0.11, t test). Inpatient RBC transfusions accounted for 75.2% (14.2%) of all RBC transfusions; 67.3% (16.3%) of inpatient transfusions were ordered by nonnephrologists. Changes in desired Hb range for outpatient HD patients did not lead to changes in RBC transfusions.

CONCLUSIONS

No changes in RBC transfusions occurred among our patients with chronic HD with PPS implementation and in desired Hb range during the study period. Most transfusions were given in inpatient settings by nonnephrologists.

Time savings of weekly versus three-times-per-week administration of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in United States dialysis patients

OBJECTIVE

Previous research suggests that erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) administration in dialysis is a time-consuming task and switching to less frequently dosed ESAs may offer operational efficiencies. Our objective was to describe and measure the time spent on tasks in the ESA administration process in US dialysis centers, and to estimate potential efficiency gains of using weekly (QW) administration vs three-times-per-week (TIW) administration.

METHODS

We conducted a time and motion study of staff time required to prepare, administer and document ESA doses. Dialysis centers using intravenous administration of TIW epoetin alfa (EPO) or QW darbepoetin alfa (DPO) were selected in pairs (one EPO, one DPO) from the same organization to help control for differences in ESA protocols and staffing patterns across organizations. ESA-related tasks were timed by trained observers. Time savings of TIW vs QW administration were estimated. Staff were interviewed about alternate activities that could be accomplished if time were saved in the ESA process.

RESULTS

A total of 200 administrations were observed (81 DPO, 119 EPO). A mean of 2.26 (95% CI: 2.1-2.5) minutes per dose were required for ESA administration. ESA process time per administration did not vary significantly between EPO and DPO (p = 0.83). Estimated potential monthly staff time savings for an average facility of 70 patients totaled 23 hours, due to fewer ESA administrations using QW DPO. Patient education and fulfillment of care plans were identified as opportunities for improved care processes that could be implemented if staff time was freed up from the ESA process.

LIMITATIONS

Results should not be generalized to other countries, ESAs and/or dosing frequencies.

CONCLUSIONS

Switching from TIW EPO to QW DPO can result in time savings due to fewer administrations and provide opportunities to redirect nurse time towards activities aimed at improving patient care.

Trends in Anemia Management in Hemodialysis Patients with Cancer

BACKGROUND

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), intravenous iron, and blood transfusion are used to treat anemia in both end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and cancer. However, anemia treatment patterns have not been described among ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis with concurrent cancer, especially in the recent era of ESA-related safety concerns.

METHODS

We analyzed Medicare data from a cohort of hemodialysis patients diagnosed with incident cancer. We used multivariable generalized linear models to estimate trends and patterns in ESA use, iron use, transfusion use, epoetin alfa (EPO) dose, iron dose, and resulting hemoglobin levels (2000-2011).

RESULTS

Of 43,760 eligible patients, quarterly ESA use declined slightly from a peak of 94.1 to 90.0%. Quarterly EPO dose increased from 2000 to 2004, then declined; quarterly hemoglobin levels followed a similar pattern. Iron use increased rapidly from 46.9 to 79.3%. Iron dose increased until 2010 and then declined. There was an increase in the quarterly transfusion use (6.3-11.7%) and in the mean number of transfusion days per year (1.4-1.8). Anemia treatment patterns varied by demographic/clinical subgroups, especially among patients receiving chemotherapy, who required higher ESA use, EPO dose, and frequency of transfusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite safety concerns about ESAs in both the ESRD and cancer populations, the proportion of hemodialysis patients with cancer who used ESAs between 2000 and 2011 remained extremely high. EPO dose and hemoglobin levels increased and then decreased. Iron use, iron dose, and transfusions increased substantially. Future research examining the risk-benefit profile of different anemia management strategies in the dialysis population with cancer is needed.

Trends in anemia care in older patients approaching end-stage renal disease in the United States (1995-2010)

IMPORTANCE

Anemia is common in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease. Whereas the treatment of anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has attracted considerable attention, relatively little is known about patterns and trends in the anemia care received by patients before they start maintenance dialysis or undergo preemptive kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the trends in anemia treatment received by Medicare beneficiaries approaching ESRD.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Closed cohort study in the United States using national ESRD registry data (US Renal Data System) of patients 67 years or older who initiated maintenance dialysis or underwent preemptive kidney transplantation between 1995 and 2010. All eligible patients had uninterrupted Medicare (A+B) coverage for at least 2 years before ESRD.

EXPOSURE

Time, defined as calendar year of incident ESRD.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA), intravenous iron supplements, and blood transfusions in the 2 years prior to ESRD; hemoglobin concentration at the time of ESRD. We used multivariable modified Poisson regression to estimate utilization prevalence ratios (PRs).

RESULTS

Records of 466,803 patients were analyzed. The proportion of patients with incident ESRD receiving any ESA in the 2 years before increased from 3.2% in 1995 to a peak of 40.8% in 2007; thereafter, ESA use decreased modestly to 35.0% in 2010 (compared with 1995; PR, 9.85 [95% CI, 9.04-10.74]). Among patients who received an ESA, median time from first recorded ESA use to ESRD increased from 120 days in 1995 to 337 days in 2010. Intravenous iron administration increased from 1.2% (1995) to 12.3% (2010; PR, 9.20 [95% CI, 7.97-10.61]). The proportion of patients receiving any blood transfusions increased monotonically from 20.6% (1995) to 40.3% (2010; PR, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.82-1.95]). Mean hemoglobin concentrations were 9.5 g/dL in 1995, increased to a peak of 10.3 g/dL in 2006, and then decreased moderately to 9.9 g/dL in 2010.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Between 1995 and 2010, older adults approaching ESRD were increasingly more likely to be treated with ESAs and to receive intravenous iron supplementation, but also more likely to receive blood transfusions.