Aim: This observational clinical study tested the effect of injection frequency of the biosimilar epoetin zeta on the\nweekly dose needed to maintain stable hemoglobin levels in chronic kidney diseases (CKD) patients on intermittent\nhigh-flux hemodialysis (HD). Patients and Methods: CKD patients (n = 33) on regular HD therapy 3 times a week\nwere treated for 18 months with epoetin zeta i.v. The hemoglobin levels, the weekly dose as well as the injection frequency\nof epoetin zeta were monitored at least every two weeks. Patients were followed in three time periods: 1) extended\nfollow-up (months 1 - 18); 2) intervention phase (months 19 - 21); and 3) post intervention observation phase\n(months 28 - 30). During extended follow-up the majority of patients (n = 21) received only one injection of epoetin\nzeta per week. During the intervention phase, injection frequency was increased to 3 injections per week in all patients\naccompanied by a reduction in weekly doses of approximately 20% - 30%. Following a 9-month period of dose adjustment\nall parameters were monitored again in the post-intervention phase. Results: During the first 18 months of epoetin\nzeta therapy the mean hemoglobin level was stable between 11 and 12 g/dl. The mean weekly dose of epoetin zeta was\n7939 IU/week in month 6 and 7909 IU/week in month 18 (p = not significant). The mean frequency (injections/week)\nwas 1.27 in month 6 and 1.29 in month 18 (not significant). Compared to month 18, at the end of the observation at\nmonth 30, hemoglobin levels were stable, mean injection frequency increased to 2.25 (p < 0.001) and the mean weekly\ndose decreased to 5469 IU/week (31.7%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increasing the injection frequency of the short acting\nbiosimilar epoetin zeta to two to three injections per week reduces the weekly dose and thereby the costs of ESA\ntherapy of renal anemia significantly.
Loading....