Efficacy and safety of roxadustat in the treatment of renal allograft anemia patients: a case series

Abstract

Background: To observe the efficacy and safety of roxadustat, an inhibitor of proline hydroxylase, in renal allograft anemia patients. Methods: This prospective study collected the clinical data of renal transplant patients treated with roxadustat for anemia at the Kidney Disease Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University from April to August 2020. The patients were followed up every 2 weeks, and the changes in their hemoglobin index and any adverse reactions were recorded during 10 weeks of treatment. The efficacy of roxadustat for treatment of anemia after kidney transplantation was analyzed by comparing the change and increase in average hemoglobin levels before and after treatment. Rates of treatment response and achievement of the standard hemoglobin level were statistically analyzed. In addition, any potential adverse events and the glomerular filtration rate were recorded for 10 weeks to assess the safety of roxadustat in renal allograft anemia patients. Results: After 10 weeks of roxadustat treatment, the mean hemoglobin level was 10.4±3.9 g/dL, which was significantly higher than at baseline. Over the entire period, treatment was observed to have a therapeutic effect at weeks 2–4, with mean hemoglobin levels increasing as treatment time increased. At the 10-week endpoint, the percentage of patients reaching the standard hemoglobin level and exhibiting a response to treatment was 52.4% and 71.4%, respectively. During the treatment, there was no rejection, and the glomerular filtration rate was stable. Only one person showed symptoms of fatigue, and there were no other obvious adverse reactions reported. Conclusions: Roxadustat significantly improves hemoglobin levels and can be safely used in renal transplant anemia patients.