Maintenance of hemoglobin concentrations in dialysis patients with darbepoetin alfa once every two weeks

A recent study found that hemoglobin concentrations were effectively maintained with darbepoetin alfa (DA) given once every two weeks (Q2W) in dialysis patients. This study was published in the journal, Clinical Nephrology.

The ALTERNATE was an observational study that included 6,104 adult dialysis patients initiating treatment with darbepoetin alfa administered Q2W. Data obtained was from 6 months prior and 12 months post Q2W initiation. The primary endpoint of the study was hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, one year after initiation.

It was found that before initiation, 77.3%, 8.8%, and 7.8% of patients were on DA, epoetin beta, and epoetin alpha, respectively. Mean Hb (g/dl) and geometric mean weekly ESA dose (µg/wk) 6 months before initiation, at initiation, and 12 months after initiation were 11.68, 12.00, and 11.62, respectively and 27.27, 23.69, and 26.80, respectively. A total of 77.3% of patients were found to be receiving DA Q2W at the end of the study (12 months).

From the above results, it can be concluded that Hb concentrations can be effectively maintained over 12 months in dialysis patients without the need for an increase in the Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) dose.