Frequent, Low-Dose Erythropoietin A Mechanistic Approach to Mitigate Adverse Cardiovascular Effects of Erythropoietin
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2019-06-03
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Although several large well designed clinical trials have shown that erythropoietin which is
commonly used to treat anemia associated with kidney disease, increases the risk of stroke
and heart disease, the mechanism for this increased risk is unknown. The investigators'
preliminary studies show that the adverse effects of erythropoietin are from activation of
the heterodimeric erythropoietin/ beta common receptor which only occurs with high doses of
erythropoietin. The investigators propose a clinical trial of 120 patients assigned to low
doses of erythropoietin given more frequently or the same cumulative dose of erythropoietin
administered as a high dose once every two weeks and assess effects on the beta common
receptor activation, inflammation and vascular disease as evidence by MRI of the carotid
arteries.