The purpose of this study is to compare the time to hematopoietic response (hemoglobin correction to 12 g/dL or a greater than or equal to 2 g/dL increase from baseline) for subjects randomized to receive darbepoetin alfa with a front load dosing regimen to those receiving recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) with a weekly dose regimen during the 12-week comparative treatment period.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
718
rHuEPO 40,000U QW for 4 weeks. Dose will be increased to 60,000U/week at week 5 if inadequate response through week 12.
4.5 mcg/kg QW for 4 weeks then Q3W starting at week 5 through week 11.
Time to hematopoietic response during the comparative treatment period
Time frame: during the comparative treatment period
Exploratory analyses for other patient reported outcome scales collected during the study (FACT-Anemia, BSI, EQ-5D, and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire for Injectable Anemia Treatment)
Time frame: during the study
Incidence, if any, of neutralizing antibody formation to study drug
Time frame: throughout study
Difference between the average hemoglobin after the first month of treatment compared to the baseline hemoglobin
Time frame: baseline to first month of treatment
Time to 2 g/dL increase in hemoglobin during the comparative treatment period
Time frame: during the comparative treatment period
Change in FACT-Fatigue scale score over time during the comparative treatment period
Time frame: during the comparative treatment period
Overall incidence of adverse events, serious adverse events and related adverse events as measured throughout study
Time frame: throughout study
Slope of change in hemoglobin after the first month of treatment
Time frame: baseline to first month of treatment
Red blood cell usage during the treatment period and other changes in hemoglobin during the comparative treatment period
Time frame: during the comparative treatment period
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Changes in hemoglobin during the maintenance period
Time frame: during the maintenance period