Safety concerns with erythropoietin analogues and intravenous (IV) iron for treatment of anemia in CKD necessitate development of safer therapies. Roxadustat (FG-4592) is an orally bioavailable hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor that promotes coordinated erythropoiesis through HIF-mediated transcription. We performed an open-label, randomized hemoglobin (Hb) correction study in anemic (Hb#10.0 g/dl) patients incident to hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Sixty patients received no iron, oral iron, or IV iron while treated with roxadustat for 12 weeks. Mean6SD baseline Hb was 8.361.0 g/dl in enrolled patients. Roxadustat at titrated doses increased mean Hb by $2.0 g/dl within 7 weeks regardless of baseline iron repletion status, C-reactive protein level, iron regimen, or dialysis modality. Mean6SEM maximal change in Hb from baseline (DHb max ), the primary endpoint, was 3.160.2 g/dl over 12 weeks in efficacy-evaluable patients (n=55). In groups receiving oral or IV iron, DHb max was similar and larger than in the no-iron group. Hb response (increase in Hb of $1.0 g/dl from baseline) was achieved in 96% of efficacy-evaluable patients. Mean serum hepcidin decreased significantly 4 weeks into study: by 80% in HD patients receiving no iron (n=22), 52% in HD and PD patients receiving oral iron (n=21), and 41% in HD patients receiving IV iron (n=9). In summary, roxadustat was well tolerated and corrected anemia in incident HD and PD patients, regardless of baseline iron repletion status or C-reactive protein level and with oral or IV iron supplementation; it also reduced serum hepcidin levels.

Background We evaluated the efficacy and safety of roxadustat vs. epoetin alfa for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) related anemia in patients new to dialysis. Methods This was a phase 3, open-label, epoetin alfa-controlled trial. Eligible adults were on hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis for ≥2 weeks and ≤4 months before randomization and had mean hemoglobin ≤10.0 g/dL. Primary endpoints were mean hemoglobin (g/dL) change from baseline averaged over weeks 28–52 regardless of rescue therapy (non-inferiority criterion: lower limit of 95% CI for treatment difference > −0.75) and percentage of patients achieving a hemoglobin response between weeks 1–24 censored for rescue therapy (non-inferiority margin for between-group difference: −15%). Adverse events were monitored. Results The intention-to-treat population included patients randomized to roxadustat (n = 522) or epoetin alfa (n = 521). Mean (SD) hemoglobin 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 a hemoglobin response were 88.2% and 84.4% in the roxadustat and epoetin alfa groups. 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 hemoglobin levels compared to epoetin alfa. Roxadustat had an acceptable safety profile.

Background Roxadustat is an orally active hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) anemia. Methods This phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined patients with stage 3-5 CKD not on dialysis (NCT01887600). Patients were randomized (2:1) to oral roxadustat or placebo three times weekly for 52-104 weeks. This study examined two primary efficacy endpoints: European Union (EMA) - hemoglobin (Hb) response, defined as Hb ≥ 11.0 g/dL that increased from baseline by ≥ 1.0 g/dL in patients with Hb > 8.0 g/dL or ≥ 2.0 g/dL in patients with baseline Hb ≤ 8.0 g/dL, without rescue therapy, during the first 24 weeks of treatment; United States (FDA) - change in Hb from baseline to the average Hb level during Weeks 28-52, regardless of rescue therapy. Secondary efficacy endpoints and safety were examined. Results A total of 594 patients were analyzed (roxadustat: 391; placebo: 203). Superiority of roxadustat versus placebo was demonstrated for both primary efficacy endpoints: Hb response (odds ratio: 34.74 [95% CI: 20.48, 58.93]) and change in Hb from baseline (roxadustat - placebo: +1.692 [95% CI: 1.52, 1.86]; both P<0.001). Superiority of roxadustat was demonstrated for LDL cholesterol change from baseline, and time to first use of rescue medication (both P<0.001). The incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events were comparable between groups (roxadustat: 87.7%, placebo: 86.7%). Conclusions Roxadustat demonstrated superior efficacy versus placebo both in terms of Hb response rate and change in Hb from baseline. The safety profiles of roxadustat and placebo were comparable.

Background/Aims: Poor glycemic control can lead to increased morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Serum fructosamine may be a more reliable marker of glycemic control than HbA1c in dialysis patients. Methods: We evaluated the effects of a glucose-sparing PD regimen on serum fructosamine. In the multicenter, controlled IMPENDIA trial, eligible diabetic PD patients were randomized (1:1) to a 24-hour combination of a glucose sparing regimen (n = 89) or a glucose-based therapy (n = 91). Serum fructosamine and HbA1c were measured at baseline, 3 months and 6 months; fructosamine measurements were corrected for serum albumin (AlbF). Results: Serum fructosamine decreased from 297 to 253 µmol/l in the glucose-sparing group (95% confidence interval [CI] for the difference, −26 to −68, p < 0.001), and increased from 311 to 314 µmol/l in the glucose-only group (95% CI for the difference, −23 to +19, p = 0.87). The mean difference in change of fructosamine levels between groups at 6 months was 64 µmol/l (95% CI 29-99, p < 0.001). HbA1c decreased versus baseline in both groups (treatment difference 0.3%, p = 0.07). The correlation between AlbF and baseline fasting serum glucose was stronger than that seen between HbA1c and baseline fasting serum glucose (r = 0.47, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.31, p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusion: A glucose-sparing regimen (P-E-N) improved glycemic control as measured by serum fructosamine. Further studies are needed to establish fructosamine targets that will reduce the morbidity risk related to hyperglycemia in PD patients.

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A 42-year-old Caucasian woman presented in 2007 with asymptomatic progressive thrombocytosis. Four years later, she developed a low-grade fever. Her hemoglobin remained normal, but the platelet count continued to increase, and the C-reactive protein (CRP) was significantly elevated (Tab. I).Two years later, she presented with melena and anemia due to hemorrhagic erosive gastroduodenitis. She received omeprazole and oral iron supplementation. The anemia was partially corrected, but severe thrombocytosis persisted. Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) showed splenomegaly (87.5 mm 2 ) with a splenic mass that measured 68 mm × 65 mm × 68 mm. A bone marrow biopsy demonstrated increased megakaryocytes with atypical features. She was diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia and started on interferon-α. Her fever resolved, and the platelet count decreased to the normal range; she had mild proteinuria, persistent anemia, and elevated CRP (Tab. I).ABSTRACT Introduction: Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of the spleen is a rare condition with unknown pathogenesis, which is sometimes associated with hematological disorders. We present the case of renal and splenic AA amyloidosis associated with SANT and essential thrombocythemia -a previously unreported combination of pathologies. Case description: A 42-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a 6-year history of progressive thrombocytosis, low-grade fever, and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). An abdominal ultrasound discovered a splenic mass, and a bone marrow biopsy revealed megakaryocytosis with atypical features. Under interferon-α treatment, her fever resolved and her platelet count decreased, but the CRP remained elevated. Within 2.5 years she developed nephrotic syndrome and kidney failure. A kidney biopsy revealed amyloidosis. She was started on hemodialysis and underwent a splenectomy. Splenic pathology revealed SANT and AA amyloidosis of the spleen. Further review of her biopsy specimens confirmed renal AA amyloidosis and myeloproliferative disorder. Polymerase chain reaction studies showed a JAK2 V617F mutation in 1% of nucleated cells. Anti-Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immunoglobulin G (IgG)-Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) and IgG-viral capsid antigen were >600 U/mL. At the latest follow-up visit 1 year after the splenectomy, she is doing well; her platelet count and CRP are normal. Conclusions: Our patient has SANT and essential thrombocythemia associated with AA amyloidosis. The high titers of anti-EBV IgG suggest that chronic EBV infection may have been causative for the former 2 conditions. The return of her high CRP level to the normal range after surgical removal of the pseudotumor may suggest an association of AA amyloidosis with SANT.

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The inflammation syndrome is typical for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and increases with the progression of CKD. It is extremely important to monitor the markers of inflammation in patients with CKD, as there is a clear relationship between the level of inflammation and mortality in these patients. Currently, there is no single approach to the treatment of chronic inflammation in patients with CKD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This was a prospective open cohort study. We studied 31 patients on hemodialysis from March 1, 2020, to August 1, 2021, in 2 Moscow clinics (No. 7 and S.P. Botkin). Inclusion criteria for patients in the study were an adequate dialysis according to the KT/V index ≥1.4, absence of an active inflammatory process or infections, age over 18 years, standard hemodialysis regimen of 3 times per week, at least 4 h, levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, and C-reactive protein (CRP) above the reference values. Patients were transferred from hemodialysis performed using a standard polysulfone (PS) membrane to a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) membrane (Filtryzer BK-2.1F). For dialysis treatment in patients, blood flow rates of 250–350 mL/min were used, and the flow rate of the dialysis solution was set at 500 mL/min. The control group consisted of 19 patients, with similar inclusion parameters, who continued their treatment with hemodialysis using a PS membrane. The aim of the research was to study the effect of the dialysis membrane (Filtryzer BK-2.1F) on the level of inflammation in routine practice compared to a PS membrane. Adverse events were monitored. <b><i>Results:</i></b> By the end of the study, after 12 months, the levels of cytokines significantly decreased only in patients who had treatment with PMMA membrane, starting from the 3rd month of treatment, and became close to normal levels: IL-6 from 16.9 ± 8.0 to 8.5 ± 4.8 pg/mL (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.0001); IL-8 from 78.5 ± 11.4 to 43.6 ± 11.6 pg/mL (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.0001); and CRP from 10.33 ± 2.83 to 6.15 ± 1.57 mg/L (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.0001). Values of inflammation markers did not change in control group. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In our study, we demonstrated for the first time a significant reduction in the level of inflammation in patients on standard hemodialysis in routine practice due to the use of PMMA membranes.