Comparison of the therapeutic effects of epoetin zeta and epoetin alfa in the correction of renal anaemia

ABSTRACTObjective: To assess the therapeutic equivalence of epoetin zeta and epoetin alfa for correction of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in patients with anaemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 maintained on haemodialysis.Study design: In total, 609 patients with CKD and anaemia (Hb < 9 g/dL) were randomly assigned to receive either epoetin zeta or epoetin alfa intravenously, one to three times per week for 24 weeks. Dosing was titrated individually to achieve a stable, target Hb concentration of 11–12 g/dL. Primary endpoints were the mean weekly dose of epoetin per kilogram of body weight and mean Hb concentration during the last 4 weeks of treatment. Safety endpoints were the occurrence of anti-erythropoietin antibodies, ratings of tolerability and adverse events (AEs).Results: Mean (± standard deviation [SD]) Hb concentration over the last 4 weeks of treatment was 11.61 ± 1.27 g/dL for patients receiving epoetin zeta, compared with 11.63 ± 1.37 g/dL for patients receiving epoetin alfa (95% c...