USE OF RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN (RH-EPO) IN THE TREATMENT OF ANEMIA IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS - A MULTICENTER ITALIAN EXPERIENCE

Background and Methods. After the phase I-II clinical trials in 1986, several studies on the use of rHuEPO in the treatment of anemia of ren al failure have been carried out and the drug has been introduced into clinical practice. In the present article we analyze the results of r ecombinant human erythropoietin (rh-EPO) therapy administered intraven ously (IV) to 759 patients in several italian dialysis centers. Result s and conclusions. Data analysis confirms the erythropoietic efficacy of the drug (mean Hct increase from 22.1 +/- 2.8 to 31.5 +/- 3.0%) as well as the generalized Italian position toward a cautious correction of anemia (the increase is achieved in 6 months). Such a therapeutic a pproach is consistent with the chronic anemia of the dialysis patient. Low doses are widely used (40-100 IU/kg x three times a week). Analys is of adverse events seems to point out that some correlate directly w ith the drug and are therefore difficult to eliminate (flu-like syndro me). On the other hand, certain adverse events seem to correlate with the modalities of drug use (dosage, time required for the Hct increase ). The possible advantages of subcutaneous administration are also des cribed.