Comparison of Epoetin Alfa and Epoetin Omega in Anemic Dialysis Patients:Results of Efficacy Trial

End Stage Renal Disease Clinical Trial

Official title: Efficacy and Safety of Epoetin Omega in Patients Undergoing Regular Dialysis. Part II: Comparative Trial Versus Epoetin Alfa

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The two epoetins, Epoetin alfa, a well established drug to treat renal anemia and Epoetin Omega, that differs from Epoetin alfa in the sugar moiety of the molecule were compared in regard of efficacy and safety to treat end stage renal disease anemia. Study hypothesis was that Epoetin Omega is non-inferior to Epoetin alfa in correcting renal anemia in dialysis patients. A 12-weeks randomized comparative efficacy study was performed including 77 end stage renal disease patients (epoetin omega:n=39, epoetin alfa: n=38). In the intent-to-treat analysis, average weekly difference in hemoglobin versus baseline value was higher in omega-treated patients: 1.94+-0.81 vs. 1.23+-0.62 g/dl. The unadjusted and adjusted omega-alfa differences were 0.71 g/dl (95%CI 0.38 to 1.04; p<0.001) and 0.78 g/dl (0.49 to 1.08;p<0.001), respectively. Average weekly epoetin dose was lower in the omega group: 87+-25 vs. 108+-21 IU/kg. The unadjusted and adjusted omega-alfa differences were -21IU/kg (-32 to -11; p<0.001) and -24IU/kg (-35 to -13; p<0.001), respectively. Epoetins were comparably well tolerated. In dialysis patients, subcutaneous epoetin omega apparently provides a greater anti-anemic effect per administered dose (IU) than epoetin alfa.

Clinical Trial Description

The two epoetins, Epoetin alfa, a well established drug to treat renal anemia and Epoetin Omega, that differs from Epoetin alfa in the sugar moiety of the molecule were compared in regard of efficacy and safety to treat end stage renal disease anemia. Study hypothesis was that Epoetin Omega is non-inferior to Epoetin alfa in correcting renal anemia in dialysis patients. A 12-weeks randomized comparative efficacy study was performed including 77 end stage renal disease patients (epoetin omega:n=39, epoetin alfa: n=38). All patients were anemic (Hemoglobin < 90 g/L), treated by regular hemodialysis and without signs of bleeding, hemolysis, inflammation or history of major surgery.Treatment was started with 50 IU/kg body weight subcutaneously per week and thereafter adjusted according to the hemoglobin response. In the intent-to-treat analysis, average weekly difference in hemoglobin versus baseline value was higher in omega-treated patients: 1.94+-0.81 vs. 1.23+-0.62 g/dl. The unadjusted and adjusted omega-alfa differences were 0.71 g/dl (95%CI 0.38 to 1.04; p<0.001) and 0.78 g/dl (0.49 to 1.08;p<0.001), respectively. Average weekly epoetin dose was lower in the omega group: 87+-25 vs. 108+-21 IU/kg. The unadjusted and adjusted omega-alfa differences were -21IU/kg (-32 to -11; p<0.001) and -24IU/kg (-35 to -13; p<0.001), respectively. Epoetins were comparably well tolerated. In dialysis patients, subcutaneous epoetin omega apparently provides a greater anti-anemic effect per administered dose (IU) than epoetin alfa. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• End Stage Renal Disease
• Kidney Failure, Chronic
• Regular Dialysis Treatment
• Renal Anemia

• NCT number: NCT00322413
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: General Hospital Sveti Duh
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Start date: January 1997
• Completion date: April 1997