Objective: To conduct a prospective trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a biosimilar epoetin-alfa (epoetin) (EspogenTM) in ESRD patients receiving chronic hemodialysis complicated by anemia and to address its impact on the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and volume index (LVVI) in these patients.

Material and Method: Twenty-two hemodialysis (HD) subjects were recruited from Rajavithi and Huachiew Hospitals. Inclusion criteria were chronic HD, hemoglobin (Hb) < 10 g/dL without preceding treatment (epoetin or transfusion) for 1 month. Echocardiographic baselines were obtained. Epoetin-alfa was initially given 4,000 IU subcutaneously twice a week and titrated biweekly to keep the Hb range of 11 to 12 g/dL (titration period 12 weeks). Treatment continued until the end of 24 weeks. Records were made for conventional blood tests, blood pressure, amount of drugs needed to control blood pressure, and adverse events. Echocardiogram was repeated (on observer blinding) at the completion of the present study.

Results: After 24-week of epoetin therapy, the predialysis Hb level increased significantly from 8.0 + 1.3 g/dL to 11.0 + 1.1 g/dL (p < 0.001). The mean dose of epoetin at the present study entry was 143.6 + 87.8 IU/kg/week. At the present study entry, LVH was present in 86.4% of the patients. At the completion of the present study, a decrease in LVMI was observed in 50% of the patients; however, the mean LVMI change was not significantly different. Notably, there were minimal but significant changes in LVEDD (52.8 + 7.0 vs. 50.1 + 6.9 mm, p < 0.05), LVVI (86.2 + 25.2 vs. 75.5 + 19.5 mL/m2, p < 0.05) and when subjects were partitioned into tertiles of baseline LVMI, the LVVI change was confined to the highest tertile (103.7 + 25.2 vs. 79.6 + 21.9 mL/m2, p < 0.05). The aortic root diameter also significantly decreased despite some increase in blood pressures but without significant change in number of antihypertensive agents. No serious adverse event was observed during the present study period.

Conclusion: The efficacy of anemia treatment and safety of the biosimilar epoetin-alfa was demonstrated in hemodialysis patients. Significant regression of LVVI and some reduction in LVMI were shown in this 24-week prospective trial.

Keywords: Erythropoietin, Epoetin, Anemia, Hemodialysis, End-stage renal disease, Left ventricular mass index, Left ventricular volume index