Patients
From January 2020 to January 2022, a total of 96 patients were selected, 35 in the roxadustat group,42 in the epoetin alfa group,and 19 in the combination group(Figure 1).
The characteristics of the patients—including age,gender,weight, coexisting conditions and the majority of the laboratory values were well balanced among the three groups at baseline.The mean(±SD) baseline postdialysis systolic pressure was 149.3±21.6mmHg across the three groups. There were more patients who required changes in on-treatment blood pressure medication in the daprodustat group and the combination group,with 16 patients (38.1%)receiving epoetin alfa,15(42.9%) receiving daprodustat,and 8(42.1%)receiving combination therapy needing at least one change(Table 1).
Table 1.Characteristics of the Patients at Baseline.
|
|
Treatment group
|
|
Treatment group
|
|
Characteristic
|
Total(n=96)
|
ESA(n=42)
|
Both(n=19)
|
P
|
Roxadustat(n=35)
|
Both(n=19)
|
P
|
Demographic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Age,years
|
55.6±14.8
|
56.5±13.1
|
57.7±17.0
|
0.75
|
53.5±15.5
|
57.7±17.0
|
0.36
|
Sex,n(%)
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
0.58
|
Male
|
55(57.3)
|
21(50)
|
13(68.4)
|
|
21(60)
|
13(68.4)
|
|
Female
|
41(42.7)
|
21(50)
|
6(31.6)
|
|
14(40)
|
6(31.6)
|
|
Weight,kg
|
66.4±12.8
|
65.4±11.8
|
64.7±13.0
|
0.84
|
68.5±13.9
|
64.7±13.0
|
0.34
|
Coexisting condition,n(%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Coronary artery disease
|
32(33.3)
|
13(31)
|
7(36.8)
|
0.77
|
12(34.3)
|
7(36.8)
|
1
|
Heart failure
|
38(39.6)
|
13(31)
|
9(47.4)
|
0.27
|
16(45.7)
|
9(47.4)
|
1
|
Valvular heart disease
|
2(2.1)
|
1(2.4)
|
1(5.3)
|
0.52
|
0(0)
|
1(5.3)
|
0.34
|
Angina pectoris
|
6(6.2)
|
2(4.8)
|
2(10.5)
|
0.60
|
2(5.7)
|
2(10.5)
|
0.60
|
Atrial fibrillation
|
2(2.1)
|
0(0)
|
2(10.5)
|
0.09
|
0(0)
|
2(10.5)
|
0.12
|
Myocardial infarction
|
13(13.5)
|
1(2.4)
|
0(0)
|
1
|
3 (8.6)
|
0(0)
|
1
|
Transient ischemic attack
|
1(1.1)
|
0(0)
|
0(0)
|
1
|
1(2.9)
|
0(0)
|
1
|
Cardiac arrest
|
1(1.0)
|
0(0)
|
0(0)
|
1
|
1(2.9)
|
0(0)
|
1
|
Thromboembolic events,n(%)
|
3(3.1)
|
0(0)
|
0(0)
|
1
|
3(8.6)
|
0(0)
|
0.55
|
Hypertension,n(%)
|
87(90.6)
|
39(92.9)
|
15(78.9)
|
0.19
|
33(94.3)
|
15(78.9)
|
0.19
|
Diabetes,n(%)
|
39 (40.6)
|
20 (47.6)
|
6(31.6)
|
0.30
|
13(37.1)
|
6(31.6)
|
0.78
|
Infection,n(%)
|
24 (25.0)
|
7 (16.7)
|
7(36.8)
|
0.10
|
10(28.6)
|
7(36.8)
|
0.56
|
Tumor,n(%)
|
5(5.2)
|
2(4.8)
|
1(5.3)
|
1
|
2(5.7)
|
1(5.3)
|
1
|
Blood pressure,mmHg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postdialysis Systolic pressure,mmHg
|
149.3±21.6
|
151.2±21.7
|
138.8±20.6
|
0.04
|
152.8±20.8
|
138.8±20.6
|
0.02
|
Postdialysis Diastolic pressure,mmHg
|
79.9±12.4
|
80.7±13.6
|
75.2±11.9
|
0.13
|
81.5±10.8
|
75.2±11.9
|
0.05
|
Laboratory values
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hemoglobin,g/L
|
89.7±18.9
|
95.3±21.1
|
83.9±16.2
|
0.04
|
86.1±15.7
|
83.9±16.2
|
0.62
|
White blood cell count,No.*109/L
|
6.6±2.4
|
6.0 ± 1.7
|
6.1±1.8
|
0.89
|
7.4±3.1
|
6.1±1.8
|
0.09
|
Platelets,No.*109/L
|
192.8±66.0
|
183.8±60.9
|
180.7±74.2
|
0.86
|
210.2±65.6
|
180.7±74.2
|
0.14
|
Total iron,umol/L
|
9.3±2.7
|
9.4±2.7
|
8.7±3.0
|
0.48
|
9.4±2.4
|
8.7±3.0
|
0.47
|
Ferritin,ng/mL
|
169.6±103.0
|
189.3±92.8
|
151.5±62.8
|
0.11
|
155.8±127.6
|
151.5±62.8
|
0.89
|
TG,mmol/L
|
1.3±0.6
|
1.3±0.5
|
1.3±0.8
|
0.83
|
1.4±0.6
|
1.3±0.8
|
0.56
|
Cholesterol,mmol/L
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
3.8±1.1
|
4.0±0.9
|
3.4±1.0
|
0.02
|
3.8±1.4
|
3.4±1.0
|
0.34
|
Low density
lipoprotein
|
2.1±0.7
|
2.2±0.4
|
2.0±0.5
|
0.08
|
2.1±0.9
|
2.0±0.5
|
0.60
|
High density lipoprotein
|
1.2±0.2
|
1.2±0.1
|
1.1±0.3
|
0.18
|
1.1±0.3
|
1.1±0.3
|
0.86
|
P,mmol/L
|
1.9±0.5
|
2.0 ± 0.6
|
1.9±0.3
|
0.61
|
1.9±0.5
|
1.9±0.3
|
0.65
|
Albumin,g/L
|
37.0(34.0,
40.9)
|
37.8(34.2, 42.0)
|
35.8(31.6, 39.0)
|
0.065
|
36.9(34.7, 41.0)
|
35.8(31.6, 39.0)
|
0.13
|
CRP,mg/L
|
7.5(5.8, 11.1)
|
7.3(5.7,8.8)
|
8.5(6.3,12.5)
|
0.10
|
7.5(5.7,14.4)
|
8.5(6.3,12.5)
|
0.57
|
PTH,pg/mL
|
403.3(322.7,486.6)
|
475.2 (347.2, 663.6)
|
388.2 (303.7, 447.8)
|
0.03
|
380.6(301.7,436.4)
|
388.2 (303.7, 447.8)
|
0.75
|
Medication,n(%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACE/ARB
|
22(22.9)
|
9(21.4)
|
6(31.6)
|
0.52
|
7(20)
|
6(31.6)
|
0.51
|
βRB
|
23(24.0)
|
14(33.3)
|
3(15.8)
|
0.23
|
6(17.1)
|
3(15.8)
|
1
|
CCB
|
42(43.8)
|
22(52.4)
|
8(42.1)
|
0.59
|
12(34.3)
|
8(42.1)
|
0.77
|
αRB
|
12(12.5)
|
9(21.4)
|
0(0)
|
0.04
|
3(8.6)
|
0(0)
|
0.55
|
Iron
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oral
|
46(47.9)
|
18(42.9)
|
11(57.9)
|
0.42
|
17(48.6)
|
11(57.9)
|
0.59
|
Intravenous
|
12(12.5)
|
5(11.9)
|
4(21.1)
|
0.43
|
3(8.6)
|
4(21.1)
|
0.21
|
Changes in on-
treatment BP
medications,n(%
)
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
0.10
|
No change
|
57(59.4)
|
26(61.9)
|
11(57.9)
|
|
20(57.1)
|
11(57.9)
|
|
At least one change
|
39(40.6)
|
16(38.1)
|
8(42.1)
|
|
15(42.9)
|
8(42.1)
|
|
Decrease
|
9(9.4)
|
3(7.1)
|
0(0)
|
|
6(17.1)
|
0(0)
|
|
Increase
|
26(27.1)
|
9(21.4)
|
8(42.1)
|
|
9(25.7)
|
8(42.1)
|
|
Switch
|
4(4.2)
|
4(9.5)
|
0(0)
|
|
0(0)
|
0(0)
|
|
Primary Outcomes
In the combination group, there was an upward trend in the change in mean postdialysis systolic pressure from baseline to 28 weeks(Figure 2).
The mean change in the mean postdialysis systolic pressure from baseline to the average value during weeks 25 through 28 was -6.6 ± 23.3mmHg in the epoetin alfa group,-5.5±26.9mmHg in the roxadustat group and 8.8 ± 21.0mmHg in the combination group. From baseline to the average value during weeks 25 through 28,the mean change in the mean postdialysis systolic pressure in the daprodustat group as compared with the epoetin alfa group(β,1.15mmHg;95%CI,-10.57 to 12.8),in the combination group as compared with the epoetin alfa group (β,15.43mmHg;95%CI,2.29 to 28.56), in the combination group as compared with the raxadustat group(β,14.28mmHg;95%CI,0.79 to 29.35).(Table 2).
Table2. Summary of Primary and Principal Secondary Outcomes among ESA, Roxadustat and Both.
A Roxadustat vs ESA
Variable
|
Epoetin Alfa(n = 42)
|
Roxadustat(n =35)
|
Treatment Effect(95%CI)
|
P
|
Primary outcome—mmHga
|
|
|
|
|
Change in postdialysis systolic pressure from BL to Wk28
|
-6.6 ± 23.3
|
-5.5 ± 26.9
|
1.15(-10.57,12.8)
|
0.85
|
Key Secondary Outcomes,n(%)
|
|
|
|
|
Adverse eventsb
|
20 (47.6)
|
18 (51.4)
|
-
|
-
|
Hypertension
|
1 (2.4)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
Hypotension
|
4 (9.5)
|
2 (5.7)
|
-
|
-
|
Heart failure
|
7 (16.7)
|
6 (17.1)
|
0.99(0.33,2.96)
|
0.99
|
Worsening hypertensionc
|
3 (7.1)
|
1 (2.9)
|
0.58 (0.05,6.42)
|
0.66
|
Thromboembolic eventsd
|
1 (2.4)
|
2 (5.7)
|
2.4 (0.22,26.43)
|
0.48
|
Infection
|
9 (21.4)
|
8 (22.9)
|
-
|
-
|
Esophageal or gastric erosions
|
1 (2.4)
|
3 (8.6)
|
-
|
-
|
MACEse
|
5 (11.90)
|
2 (5.71)
|
0.19 (0.02,1.55)
|
0.12
|
Death from any cause
|
1 (2.4)
|
1 (2.9)
|
-
|
-
|
Nonfatal myocardial infarction
|
2 (4.8)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
Nonfatal stroke
|
2 (4.8)
|
1 (2.9)
|
-
|
-
|
B Combination vs ESA
Variable
|
Epoetin Alfa(n = 42)
|
Combination(n =19)
|
Treatment Effect(95%CI)
|
P
|
Primary outcome—mmHg
|
|
|
|
|
Change in postdialysis systolic pressure from BL to Wk28,mmHg
|
-6.6 ± 23.3
|
8.8 ± 21.0
|
15.43 (2.29,28.56)
|
0.02
|
Key Secondary Outcomes,n(%)
|
|
|
|
|
Adverse events
|
20 (47.6)
|
6 (31.6)
|
-
|
-
|
Hypertension
|
1 (2.4)
|
1 (5.3)
|
-
|
-
|
Hypotension
|
4 (9.5)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
Heart failure
|
7 (16.7)
|
3 (15.8)
|
0.9 (0.23,3.49)
|
0.88
|
Worsening hypertension
|
3 (7.1)
|
0 (0)
|
0 (0,Inf)
|
0.99
|
Thromboembolic events
|
1 (2.4)
|
1 (5.3)
|
2.22 (0.14,35.43)
|
0.57
|
Infection
|
9 (21.4)
|
1 (5.3)
|
-
|
-
|
Esophageal or gastric erosions
|
1 (2.4)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
MACE
|
5 (11.90)
|
1 (5.3)
|
0.35 (0.04,2.94)
|
0.34
|
Death from any cause
|
1 (2.4)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
Nonfatal myocardial infarction
|
2 (4.8)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
Nonfatal stroke
|
2 (4.8)
|
1 (5.3)
|
-
|
-
|
C Combination vs roxadustat
Variable
|
Roxadustat(n = 35)
|
Combination(n =19)
|
Treatment Effect(95%CI)
|
P
|
Primary outcome—mmHg
|
|
|
|
|
Change in postdialysis systolic pressure from BL to Wk28,mmHg
|
-5.5 ± 26.9
|
8.8 ± 21.0
|
14.28 (-0.79,29.35)
|
0.06
|
Key Secondary Outcomes,n(%)
|
|
|
|
|
Adverse events
|
18 (51.4)
|
6 (31.6)
|
-
|
-
|
Hypertension
|
0 (0)
|
1 (5.3)
|
-
|
-
|
Hypotension
|
2 (5.7)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
Heart failure
|
6 (17.1)
|
3 (15.8)
|
0 (0,Inf)
|
0.99
|
Worsening hypertension
|
1 (2.9)
|
0 (0)
|
0 (0,Inf)
|
0.99
|
Thromboembolic events
|
2 (5.7)
|
1 (5.3)
|
0.92 (0.08,10.13)
|
0.95
|
Infection
|
8 (22.9)
|
1 (5.3)
|
-
|
-
|
Esophageal or gastric erosions
|
3 (8.6)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
MACE
|
2 (5.71)
|
1 (5.3)
|
1.96 (0.12,31.3)
|
0.64
|
Death from any cause
|
1 (2.9)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
Nonfatal myocardial infarction
|
0 (0)
|
0 (0)
|
-
|
-
|
Nonfatal stroke
|
1 (2.9)
|
1 (5.3)
|
-
|
-
|
a Primary outcome excluded those data that death or loss to follow-up.
b Adverse events were defined as treatment-emergent if they started or became worse on or after
treatment start, up to the day after the last nonzero dose date.
c Based on adverse-event reported,including brain or fundus hemorrhage, etc 17.
d Thromboembolic events included deep vein thrombosis, vascular access thrombosis and
pulmonary embolism.
e MACE:a composite of death from any cause, nonfatal myocardial infarction,or nonfatal stroke.
Key Secondary Outcome
A total of 20 of 42 patients(47.6%) treated with epoetin alfa,18 of 35 patients(51.4%) treated with roxadustat,and 6 of 19 patients(31.6%) treated with the combination of epoetin alfa and roxadustat reported at least one adverse event during treatment.All treatment groups experienced similar rates of adverse events during the trial.More patients in the epoetin alfa group(3[7.1%]) compared with the roxadustat group(1[2.9%]) and the combination group(0[0%]) experienced a worsening of hypertension.The most frequently reported adverse event was infection,which occurred in 9 patients(21.4%) in the epoetin alfa group,8 patients(22.9%) in the roxadustat group and 1 patients(5.3%) in the combination group(Table 2).
The results of superiority testing were not significant for MACEs, thromboembolic events,hospitalization for heart failure,and worsening hypertension.The first occurrence of MACEs in the daprodustat group as compared with the epoetin alfa group(hazard ratio,1.15;95%CI,-10.57 to 12.8),thromboembolic events(hazard ratio,2.4;95%CI,0.22 to 26.43),hospitalization for heart failure(hazard ratio,0.99;95%CI,0.33 to 2.96),and worsening hypertension(hazard ratio, 0.58;95%CI,0.05 to 6.42).The first occurrence of MACEs in the combination group as compared with the epoetin alfa group(hazard ratio,0.35;95%CI,0.04 to 2.94),thromboembolic events(hazard ratio,2.22;95%CI,0.14 to 35.43),hospitalization for heart failure(hazard ratio,0.9;95%CI,0.23 to 3.49),and worsening hypertension(hazard ratio,0;95% CI, 0 to lnf).The first occurrence of MACEs in the combination group as compared with the roxadustat group(hazard ratio,1.96;95%CI,0.12 to 31.3), thromboembolic events (hazard ratio,0.92; 95% CI, 0.08 to 10.13), hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio,0;95%CI,0 to lnf),and worsening hypertension(hazard ratio,0;95%CI,0 to lnf).(Table 2 and Figure 3).