fg-4592 and Red-Cell-Aplasia--Pure

Anemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) is used extensively in patients with CKD. However, anti-erythropoietin (anti-EPO) antibody has been reported during rHu-EPO treatment, which causes pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). We presented a case of 75-year-old man, who underwent hemodialysis for 2 years. He developed PRCA during rHu-EPO treatment. The rHu-EPO was immediately discontinued, and the patient was given roxadustat treatment. After 6 months of roxadustat treatment, the anti-EPO antibody was disappeared, and hemoglobin recovered normal range. The results suggest that roxadustat can be used to treat patients with anti-EPO antibody-mediated PRCA without immunosuppressive therapy.

Topics: Aged; Erythropoietin; Glycine; Humans; Isoquinolines; Male; Recombinant Proteins; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure; Renal Dialysis

Topics: Erythropoietin; Glycine; Hemoglobins; Humans; Isoquinolines; Male; Middle Aged; Recombinant Proteins; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure

Anti-erythropoietin antibody-related pure red cell aplasia (anti-EPO PRCA) is a severe complication in patients who receive erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for nephrogenic anemia. The standard therapy is withdrawl of EPO and immunosuppression. Here, we present successful treatment of anti-EPO PRCA with roxadustat, a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor. A 39-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease received recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) subcutaneously. Unfortunately, she developed anti-EPO PRCA and her hemoglobin dropped continuously, whereas she rejected immunosuppressive therapy. The patient failed to achieve spontaneous hematologic recovery with cessation of rhEPO alone, and she became transfusion dependent. Thus, she accepted our advice to try roxadustat for nephrogenic anemia. Surprisingly, after starting roxadustat treatment, her reticulocyte and hemoglobin improved gradually. Four months later, the bone marrow aspiration smear demonstrated a return to normal in erythroid cells. Besides, her anti-erythropoietin antibody converted to negative. All in all, this case reveals the potential effect of roxadustat on anti-EPO PRCA.

Topics: Adult; Erythropoietin; Female; Glycine; Humans; Isoquinolines; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Recombinant Proteins; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure; Renal Dialysis

The application of erythropoietin (EPO) can bring about a rare but serious complication called anti-EPO antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Once the disease is diagnosed, EPO administration should be stopped immediately. However, after the removal of the anti-EPO antibody, treating anaemia in these patients with chronic renal disease with EPO therapy is difficult, as restarting EPO therapy risks the recurrence of anti-EPO antibody-mediated PRCA. A 26-year-old man with anaemia related to renal failure, who was administered recombinant human EPO subcutaneously, developed anti-EPO antibody-mediated PRCA. After removal of antibodies by treatment with corticosteroids and cyclosporine, therapy for anaemia of chronic renal disease with roxadustat achieved good results. Roxadustat is a new type of drug for the treatment of anaemia, and it can stimulate endogenous EPO within or near the physiologic range and increase haemoglobin levels.

Topics: Adult; Erythropoietin; Glycine; Humans; Isoquinolines; Male; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic