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Patients who are currently maintained on shorter-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) can be confidently converted to MIRCERA®. Clinical data demonstrates that haemoglobin (Hb) stability is not disrupted when converting patients from epoetin to once-monthly MIRCERA. A comparable low level of Hb variability for patients converted to once-monthly subcutaneous (SC) MIRCERA from epoetin was achieved compared with patients already stable and continuing on epoetin (see Figure):

 

• Mean Hb variation with MIRCERA was 0.85 g/dL¹
• Mean Hb variation in already stable patients continuing on epoetin
  1–3 times per week was 0.78 g/dL.¹

 

Patients converted to MIRCERA showed no significant difference in variability of Hb levels compared with those patients who remained on their original therapy even during titration. Following a dose-titration period, the mean and median level of Hb in patients converted to MIRCERA was virtually identical to their baseline Hb level.² Comparable results in term of Hb stability were achieved in patients treated with both intravenous (IV) and SC MIRCERA.^1,2

 

 
Mean haemoglobin variation in patients previously maintained on another erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (epoetin alfa or epoetin beta administered one to three times per week) randomised to convert to MIRCERA or continue on epoetin.¹

 

Stable Hb target range can be achieved regardless of previous ESA dosing frequency.¹

 

References:

 

1. Sulowicz W, Locatelli F, Ryckelynck J-P, et al. Once-monthly subcutaneous continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (C.E.R.A.) maintains stable control in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis directly converted from epoetin one to three times weekly. Clin J Amer Soc Nephrol. 2007 doi:10.2215/CJN.03631006.
2. Canaud B, Mingardi G, Braun J, et al., on behalf of the ARCTOS Study Investigators.  Intravenous C.E.R.A. maintains stable haemoglobin levels in patients on dialysis previously treated with darbepoetin: results from STRIATA, a randomized phase III study. 2007 Submitted.
3. MIRCERA® Summary of Product Characteristics. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. 2007.