An evaluation of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease

Introduction: Anemia is one of the major complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been the mainstay of renal anemia treatment. However, there are several safety drawbacks, and a safer and more effective alternative treatment has been sought. Areas covered: Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) have been developed as a novel orally active therapeutic agent for renal anemia. HIF-PHIs stimulate endogenous EPO and optimize iron utilization. Roxadustat is a first-in-class HIF-PHI for the treatment of anemia in CKD patients approved in China, Japan, South Korea, and Chile. The authors herein evaluate the pharmacology of roxadustat and give their expert perspectives on its use. Expert opinion: Phase 3 clinical trials have demonstrated that roxadustat effectively increases and maintains hemoglobin (Hb) levels in both nondialysis-dependent and dialysis-dependent CKD patients. Roxadustat also improved iron metabolism and reduced intravenous (IV) iron requirements. However, pooled analyses of phase 3 studies have revealed frequent thromboembolic events in the roxadustat group, which might be attributed to rapid changes in Hb and inadequate iron supplementation. Roxadustat is an attractive alternative treatment especially for patients with ESA hyporesponsive due to impaired iron utilization, and so appropriate selection of target patients and its proper use are crucially important.