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Recombinant human epoetin beta in the treatment of renal anemia

Lucia Del Vecchio Andrea Cavalli, Pietro Pozzoni and Francesco Locatelli

Anemia has obtained increasing relevance and attention in patients with chronic kidney disease as an independent cardiovascular risk factor, since a number of studies have clearly described a relationship between anemia and mortality in this population. This may be a consequence of the impact of anemia on cardiac function leading to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. The availability of recombinant human erythropoietin has deeply changed the management of anemia in chronic kidney disease patients, representing the most important improvement in the management of this condition after the discovery of dialysis. Epoetin beta is one of the erythropoiesis-stimulating agents now available on the market. Different studies have shown that this drug, when administered once-weekly to hemodialysis patients, is as effective as three-times weekly administration; the less frequent administration schedule reduces nursing times and treatment costs. This is expected to potentially enhance patient compliance, helping more patients to achieve their target hemoglobin levels.