Daprodustat for the Treatment of Anemia in Patients Undergoing Dialysis

Among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing dialysis, anemia is common and associated with reduced quality of life and increased cardiovascular risk. This randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial compared the efficacy and safety of the oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) daprodustat with injectable erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in 2964 patients. The primary outcomes were the mean change in hemoglobin levels from baseline to weeks 28–52 and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Daprodustat was noninferior to ESAs in both outcomes, with similar safety profiles. The findings suggest daprodustat as a viable oral alternative to ESAs for anemia management in dialysis patients.

Among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing dialysis, anemia is common and associated with reduced quality of life and increased cardiovascular risk. This randomized, open-label, phase 3 trial compared the efficacy and safety of the oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI) daprodustat with injectable erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in 2964 patients. The primary outcomes were the mean change in hemoglobin levels from baseline to weeks 28–52 and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Daprodustat was noninferior to ESAs in both outcomes, with similar safety profiles. The findings suggest daprodustat as a viable oral alternative to ESAs for anemia management in dialysis patients.