Category Archives: ESAs
Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA) Use among Medicare Patients Receiving Hemodialysis and Observations about Pruritus
Hemodialysis.com eInterview:
Scott Sibbel, PhD, MPH
DaVita Clinical Research, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
Hemodialysis.com: What was the objective of this study?
Dr. Sibbel: Research shows that between 40% and 90% of hemodialysis patients experience pruritus, ranging from mild to severe. Skin itchiness, which is captured in the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) survey component and subscale scores, is an independent predictor of clinical and quality-of-life issues. For a better understanding of pruritus and how it affects patients, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of self‑reported itchiness/dryness and erythropoiesis‑stimulating agent (ESA) use in patients receiving in-center hemodialysis 3 times a week for the first 6 months after a KDQOL assessment between December 1, 2008, and June 30, 2012, at a large dialysis organization. We hypothesized that ESA use, would generally be reduced across the 6 months following the KDQOL survey, consistent with label changes and prescribing patterns, but would be higher with increased patient-reported skin itchiness and dryness.
Marie Benz, MD on Google+Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on resistance artery endothelial function in stage 4 chronic kidney disease.
Hemodialysis.com eInterview with Dr. Marie Briet
Department of Pharmacology and Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale
U970-PARCC, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou,
Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75015 Paris, France
Ernesto L. Schiffrin, CM, MD, PhD, FRSC, FRCPC, FACP
Physician-in-Chief, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital,
Canada Research Chair in Hypertension and Vascular Research
Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research
Professor and Vice-Chair (Research), Department of Medicine
McGill University.
Written Interview conducted with author by Editor Marie Benz, MD
Hemodialysis.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Briet: The main finding is that EPO induces an endothelial dysfunction of small resistance arteries isolated from subcutaneous biopsies performed in chronic kidney disease patients. Considering that small arteries are the key determinants of blood pressure levels, the endothelial dysfunction induced by EPO could contribute to the increase in blood pressure and CV events observed in large interventional trials.
Treatment of Anemia with Darbepoetin Alfa in Systolic Heart Failure
from Angina.com: In patients who have anemia with symptomatic heart failure, treatment with darbepoetin alfa to normalize hemoglobin does not end up reducing morbidity or mortality. Findings suggest that hemoglobin is a marker of poor prognosis in heart failure, rather than a therapeutic target.
Renal anaemia and EPO hyporesponsiveness associated with vitamin D deficiency: the potential role of inflammation
Hemodialysis.com Authors’ Interview: Dr Andrea Icardi
Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, La Colletta and Villa Scassi Hospitals
ASL 3, Arenzano and Genoa, Italy
Corresponding Author: Dr. Mario Cozzolino, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor in Nephrology
Dipart. of Health Sceinces- School of Medicine
University of Milan
Renal Division – San Paolo Hospital Milan – Italy
Hemodialysis.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Response: Our review of the literature data findings concentrates on the central role of inflammation in the inhibition of erythropoiesis and iron availability in CKD patients with EPO-resistant anemia associated with vitamin D deficiency. This inflammatory action is mediated by suppressive cytokines (i.e. IL-6, TNF-α, INF-γ) inhibiting differentiation and proliferation activities of erythroid cells in the EPO-independent phase of erythropoiesis and stimulating hepcidin production for iron retention in the reticuloendothelial system and enterocytes.
Affymax and Takeda are instituting a voluntary product recall of OMONTYS
Affymax and Takeda Announce a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of All Lots of OMONTYS® (peginesatide) Injection
PALO ALTO, Calif. & OSAKA, Japan–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Affymax, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFFY) and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) today have decided to voluntarily recall all lots of OMONTYS® (peginesatide) Injection to the user level as a result of new postmarketing reports regarding serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening or fatal. The companies have been working actively with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which has indicated its agreement with this decision. The companies have also issued a letter to health care professionals indicating that no new or existing patients should receive OMONTYS.
Peginesatide for Anemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Not Receiving Dialysis
Hemodialysis.com Author Interview:
Prof. Iain Macdougall
Professor of Clinical Nephrology + Renal Unit
King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,
Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS
Hemodialysis.com Editor Marie Benz: What are the main findings of the study?
Prof. Iain Macdougall: The main findings of the study were that peginesatide was as effective as darbepoetin alfa in correcting chronic anaemia in non-dialysis patients.
There was, however, a 32% increase in incidence of the composite safety endpoint compared to darbepoetin alfa. This remains unexplained, and requires further elucidation.
