New inside the treatment of anemia of patients with chronic kidney disease

10^th European Nephrology Conference

October 24-26, 2016 Rome, Italy

Francesco Locatelli

Alessandro Manzoni Hospital, Italy

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nephrol Ther

Abstract :

Normocytic, normochromic anemia is very common in the late stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated with many clinical complications. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and adjuvant iron therapy represent the primary treatment for anemia in CKD. Introduction of ESAs into clinical practice was very successful in inducing an increase in hemoglobin concentration, reducing the risk of blood transfusions and improving the quality of life of CKD patients with severe anemia significantly. However, concern arose following the publication of the randomized clinical trials showing that higher hemoglobin targets and/or high ESA doses may increase the CKD patients� cardiovascular complications. This was associated with changes in ESA reimbursement policy in some countries resulting in a significant reduction in ESA prescribing and in the target hemoglobin level aimed at during therapy. New drugs were developed with theoretically improved characteristics and/or easier manufacturing processes as compared to available ESA, including new treatment approaches that may indirectly improve erythropoiesis. Moreover, new iron therapies became available, reducing the frequency of administration and facilitating the iron treatment. This presentation will give an update on the new investigational strategies for increasing erythropoiesis, looking in depth at their characteristics and possible advantages in the clinical setting, and on the cautions needed at the present stage of development.

Biography :

Email: f.locatelli@asst-lecco.it