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Comparing Efficacy and Safety of CinnaGen Beta Erythropoietin (CinnaPoietin®) Versus Eprex® on the Treatment of Anemia in ESRD Hemodialysis Patients

A Phase III, Randomized, Two Armed, Parallel, Double Blind (Patient and Assessor Blinded), Active Controlled Non Inferiority Clinical Trial to Determine the Non Inferior Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety Between CinnaPoietin® (Beta Erythropoietin) and Eprex® (Epoetin Alpha) on the Treatment of Anemia in ESRD Hemodialysis Patients

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03408639
Enrollment
156
Registered
2018-01-24
Start date
2016-06-22
Completion date
2017-07-19
Last updated
2019-12-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anemia in End-Stage Renal Disease

Keywords

End-Stage Renal Disease, Anemia, Erythropoietin, Hemoglobin

Brief summary

This Phase III, randomized, two-armed, parallel, double-blind, active-controlled clinical trial is designed to compare efficacy and safety of CinnaPoietin® (Beta erythropoietin) and Eprex® (epoetin alpha) on the treatment of anemia in 156 End-Stage Renal Disease hemodialysis patients. 156 patients have been planned to randomize and assign to receive CinnaPoietin® or Eprex® for a 26-week period. Administration dose for patients who are treated with erythropoietin is the similar dose of the previously administered amount (IV or SC without any change). After then, dose adjustment will be made based on patients' response. The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of CinnaPoietin® with Eprex®. The secondary objectives of this study are further comparison and evaluation of efficacy along with safety between CinnaPoietin® and Eprex®.

Detailed description

This study is a phase III, randomized, two-armed, parallel, double-blind (patient and assessor blinded), active-controlled noninferiority clinical trial to determine the non-inferior therapeutic efficacy and safety between CinnaPoietin® (Beta erythropoietin) and Eprex® (epoetin alpha) on the treatment of anemia in ESRD patient under hemodialysis. After signing the written informed consents, 156 patients have been planned to randomize and assign to receive CinnaPoietin® or Eprex® for a 26-weeks period. Administration dose for patients who are treated with erythropoietin is the similar dose of the previously administered amount (IV or SC without any change). After then, dose adjustment will be made based on patients' response. In addition to main intervention, Nephrovit tablet/day and B12 100 mcg/month were prescribed for patients. The primary objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of CinnaPoietin® with Eprex®. The secondary objectives of this study are further comparison and evaluation of efficacy and safety. The clinical trial will be conducted according to the GCP considerations. A comprehensive validation check program is used to verify the data, and discrepancy reports are generated accordingly for resolution by the investigator. In order to ensure the use of standard and unified procedure of each test, monitoring of each site and laboratory site are going to be applied by sponsor monitoring team and CRO as external monitoring team. The same prefilled syringe is used for CinnaPoietin® to be sure that there is no difference between CinnaPoietin® and Eprex® as brand drug. The drugs will be relabeled, and the same label is used for both prefilled syringe. So neither investigators nor subjects are able to notice any differences between them and are blind to the assignment. Determination of sample size 156 patients will be equally (1:1) divided into intervention arms (78 in each group considering drop out) for achieving 80% power in order to determine non-inferiority using a one-sided, independent sample t-test. The margin of non-inferiority is -1.00. The true difference between the means is assumed to be -0.500. The significance level (alpha) of the test is 0.05. The data are drawn from populations with standard deviations of 1.200 and 1.200.

Interventions

DRUGCinnaPoietin®

The starting dose of Erythropoietin is 60 (50-100) IU/kg body weight/week for naïve patients. Administration dose for patients who are treated with erythropoietin is similar dose of previously administered amount (IV or SC without any change). After then, dose adjustment will be done based on patients' response.

The starting dose of Erythropoietin is 60 (50-100) IU/kg body weight/week for naïve patients. Administration dose for patients who are treated with erythropoietin is similar dose of previously administered amount (IV or SC without any change). After then, dose adjustment will be done based on patients' response.

DRUGNephrovit

Nephrovit tablet is daily administered to all the patients.

Vitamin B12 is monthly injected to all the patients.

Sponsors

Cinnagen
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Aged between 18 and 70 * ESRD patients who are on hemodialysis for ≥3 months. * Hb level 8- 11.5 g/dl * Patients are on adequate hemodialysis: the minimally adequate dose of hemodialysis given 3 times per week should be a spKt/V (single-pool delivered Kt/V; clearance of urea x dialysis time/volume of distribution) of 1.2 per dialysis. For treatment periods of less than 5 hours, an alternative minimum dose is a urea reduction rate (URR) of 65%. All types of hemodialysis systems and hemodiafiltration, including high-flux membranes are allowed as long as there is no plan to change the patient's regimen during the study. * Sufficient iron stores, defined as serum ferritin ≥ 200 ng/ml and transferrin saturation ≥20%. (Patients not meeting these criteria may receive iron supplementation therapy during the Screening and stabilization period to appropriately correct their iron store deficiency to meet the criterion required for randomization); * Ability to comply with study medication use, study visits, and study procedures as judged by the investigator; * Females of childbearing potential agree to use an acceptable method of birth control (e.g., abstinence, hormonal or barrier methods, partner sterilization, or IUD) for the duration of the study. * Qualified and willing to sign the informed consent form with the commitment of complying with all the scheduled visits, and study procedures as judged by the investigator; * In any circumstances that potential participants are not able to give consent, it may be given by responsible parents or guardian.

Exclusion criteria

* Uncontrolled hypertension (defined as pre-dialysis diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg or systolic blood pressure ≥180 mmHg); * Anemia secondary to other causes different to the CKD (e.g. multiple myeloma, aplastic anemia, leukemia;….) * Decompensated liver failure; * Clinical evidence of concurrent uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism (defined as serum parathyroid hormone (iPTH) \> 800 pg/ml); * Heart failure \[New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III and IV\]; * Unstable angina pectoris, active cardiac disease, stroke and/or cardiac infarction within the last 6 months; * History of or active blood coagulation disorders including DVT, PTE, native access Thrombosis during last 6 months. * Thrombocytosis (platelet count \> 500,000/µl); * Thrombocytopenia (platelet count \< 100,000/µl); * White blood cell count \< 3,000/µl); * White blood cell count \>15,000/µl) * Recent Bleeding (acute or chronic bleeding within three months prior to screening); * Suspicion of or confirmed occult bleeding (increased reticulocyte count); * Clinical evidence of concurrent systemic infection, or inflammatory disease (e.g; diabetic foot, bed sore, access infection, CRP\> 30 mg/l,…) * Currently receiving treatment for epilepsy; * Major surgery within 3 months prior to randomization and during the conduct of the trial (except vascular access surgery); * Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy; patients on a short course of steroids (up to 7 days), topical or intranasal steroids are allowed in the study; * History of any malignant disease within the last 5 years (except excised non-melanoma skin cancer); * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding; * Known history of severe drug-related allergies; * Known history of drug related allergy to Erythropoietin or one of the ingredients of the test or the reference products or hypersensitivity to mammalian-derived products; * Transplant received within one year prior to the start of the study; * Simultaneous participation in another clinical study or having received an Investigational Medicinal Product within three months before randomization in this study. * Psychiatric, addictive (drugs or alcohol) or any other disorder that compromises the ability to give an informed consent; * Any red blood cell transfusion during the last 3 months (measured at the time of eligibility verification); * Primary hematological disorder (e.g. myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloma, sickle cell anemia, hematological malignancy, multiple myeloma hemolytic anemia); * known resistance to the rHuEPO defined by a requirement \> 450 IU/kg/week by IV or 300 IU/kg/week by SC, equivalent to approximately 20.000 IU/week SC and in absence of iron deficiency; * who have suffered an event of active bleeding in the 30 days prior to the beginning of the study; * Morbid obesity, defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) \> 37 kg/m2 in women and \> 40 kg/m2 in men.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mean Hb Change Level During the Last Four Weeks of TreatmentWeek 22 to week 26The primary endpoints of this study is to assess mean Hb change level during the last four weeks of treatment.
Mean Weekly Epoetin Dosage Per kg Body Weight During the Last Four Weeks of TreatmentWeek 22 to week 26The mean weekly epoetin dosage per kg body weight during the last four weeks of treatment necessary to maintain the Hb level within 10-12 g/dl during the last four weeks of treatment is considered as the second primary endpoint.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The Proportion of Patients Needed Blood Transfusions26 weeksThe proportion of patients needed blood transfusions during 26 weeks.
The Proportion of Patients With Treatment SuccessWeek 12 to week 26Treatment success is considered as Hb concentration equal to or more than 11.0 g/dl and two consecutive weeks without any blood transfusion within the preceding three months
The Proportion of Patients With Maintenance Success26 weeksMaintenance success is considered as maintenance success is considered as maintenance of mean Hb concentration of 11.0 ± 1.0 g/dl for at least four consecutive weeks
The Percentage of Patients With Hb Measurements More Than 10.0 g/dlWeek 22 to week 26The percentage of patients with Hb measurements more than 10.0 g/dl from week 22 to week 26.
The Proportion of Patients With Any Permanent or Transient Dose Change26 weeksThe proportion of patients with any permanent or transient dose change during 26 weeks.
The Incidence of Hb Levels Above 13 g/dl26 weeksThe first safety endpoint is the proportion of patients with at least one Hb measurement above 13 g/dL.
The Proportion of Patients With an Increase in Hb Concentration of > 1.0 g/dl for Four Consecutive Weeks26 weeksThe proportion of patients with an increase in Hb concentration of \> 1.0 g/dl for four consecutive weeks during 26 weeks.
The Incidence of Adverse Events26 weeksThe incidence of adverse events during 26 weeks.
The Percentage of Patients With Hematocrit Measurements More Than 30%Week 22 to week 26The percentage of patients with hematocrit measurements more than 30% from week 22 to week 26.
The Proportion of Patients With Any Hb Measurement Outside the Target Range (10-12 g/dl)26 weeksThe proportion of patients with any Hb measurement outside the target range (10-12 g/dl) during 26 weeks.

Countries

Iran

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
CinnaPoietin®
The starting dose of Erythropoietin is 60 (50-100) IU/kg body weight/week for naïve patients. Administration dose for patients who are treated with erythropoietin is similar dose of previously administered amount (IV or SC without any change). After then, dose adjustment will be done based on patients' response. In addition to main intervention, Nephrovit tablet/day and vitamine B12 100 mcg/month will be prescribed for patients. CinnaPoietin®: The starting dose of Erythropoietin is 60 (50-100) IU/kg body weight/week for naïve patients. Administration dose for patients who are treated with erythropoietin is similar dose of previously administered amount (IV or SC without any change). After then, dose adjustment will be done based on patients' response. Nephrovit: Nephrovit tablet is daily administered to all the patients. Vitamin B12 Injection: Vitamin B12 is monthly injected to all the patients.
78
Eprex®
The starting dose of Erythropoietin is 60 (50-100) IU/kg body weight/week for naïve patients. Administration dose for patients who are treated with erythropoietin is similar dose of previously administered amount (IV or SC without any change). After then, dose adjustment will be done based on patients' response. In addition to main intervention, Nephrovit tablet/day and vitamine B12 100 mcg/month will be prescribed for patients. Eprex®: The starting dose of Erythropoietin is 60 (50-100) IU/kg body weight/week for naïve patients. Administration dose for patients who are treated with erythropoietin is similar dose of previously administered amount (IV or SC without any change). After then, dose adjustment will be done based on patients' response. Nephrovit: Nephrovit tablet is daily administered to all the patients. Vitamin B12 Injection: Vitamin B12 is monthly injected to all the patients.
78
Total156

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyDeath55
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up14
Overall StudyPhysician Decision36
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject27

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicCinnaPoietin®Eprex®Total
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
18 Participants9 Participants27 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
60 Participants69 Participants129 Participants
Age, Continuous55.02 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.38
50.01 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.72
52.53 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.28
Hemoglobin concentration10.41 g/dL
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.89
10.64 g/dL
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.82
10.53 g/dL
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.86
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
78 Participants78 Participants156 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Iran
78 participants78 participants156 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
33 Participants33 Participants66 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
45 Participants45 Participants90 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
5 / 785 / 78
other
Total, other adverse events
11 / 7812 / 78
serious
Total, serious adverse events
14 / 787 / 78

Outcome results

Primary

Mean Hb Change Level During the Last Four Weeks of Treatment

The primary endpoints of this study is to assess mean Hb change level during the last four weeks of treatment.

Time frame: Week 22 to week 26

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
CinnaPoietin®Mean Hb Change Level During the Last Four Weeks of Treatment0.4 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.26
Eprex®Mean Hb Change Level During the Last Four Weeks of Treatment0.74 g/dLStandard Deviation 1.39
Primary

Mean Weekly Epoetin Dosage Per kg Body Weight During the Last Four Weeks of Treatment

The mean weekly epoetin dosage per kg body weight during the last four weeks of treatment necessary to maintain the Hb level within 10-12 g/dl during the last four weeks of treatment is considered as the second primary endpoint.

Time frame: Week 22 to week 26

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
CinnaPoietin®Mean Weekly Epoetin Dosage Per kg Body Weight During the Last Four Weeks of Treatment117.02 IU/Kg/weekStandard Deviation 54.5
Eprex®Mean Weekly Epoetin Dosage Per kg Body Weight During the Last Four Weeks of Treatment110.01 IU/Kg/weekStandard Deviation 49.27
Secondary

The Incidence of Adverse Events

The incidence of adverse events during 26 weeks.

Time frame: 26 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
CinnaPoietin®The Incidence of Adverse Events23 Participants
Eprex®The Incidence of Adverse Events18 Participants
Secondary

The Incidence of Hb Levels Above 13 g/dl

The first safety endpoint is the proportion of patients with at least one Hb measurement above 13 g/dL.

Time frame: 26 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
CinnaPoietin®The Incidence of Hb Levels Above 13 g/dl31 Participants
Eprex®The Incidence of Hb Levels Above 13 g/dl42 Participants
Secondary

The Percentage of Patients With Hb Measurements More Than 10.0 g/dl

The percentage of patients with Hb measurements more than 10.0 g/dl from week 22 to week 26.

Time frame: Week 22 to week 26

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
CinnaPoietin®The Percentage of Patients With Hb Measurements More Than 10.0 g/dl55 Participants
Eprex®The Percentage of Patients With Hb Measurements More Than 10.0 g/dl48 Participants
Secondary

The Percentage of Patients With Hematocrit Measurements More Than 30%

The percentage of patients with hematocrit measurements more than 30% from week 22 to week 26.

Time frame: Week 22 to week 26

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
CinnaPoietin®The Percentage of Patients With Hematocrit Measurements More Than 30%86.76 percentage of patients
Eprex®The Percentage of Patients With Hematocrit Measurements More Than 30%92.86 percentage of patients
Secondary

The Proportion of Patients Needed Blood Transfusions

The proportion of patients needed blood transfusions during 26 weeks.

Time frame: 26 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
CinnaPoietin®The Proportion of Patients Needed Blood Transfusions0.04 proportion of patients
Eprex®The Proportion of Patients Needed Blood Transfusions0.04 proportion of patients
Secondary

The Proportion of Patients With an Increase in Hb Concentration of > 1.0 g/dl for Four Consecutive Weeks

The proportion of patients with an increase in Hb concentration of \> 1.0 g/dl for four consecutive weeks during 26 weeks.

Time frame: 26 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
CinnaPoietin®The Proportion of Patients With an Increase in Hb Concentration of > 1.0 g/dl for Four Consecutive Weeks44 Participants
Eprex®The Proportion of Patients With an Increase in Hb Concentration of > 1.0 g/dl for Four Consecutive Weeks41 Participants
Secondary

The Proportion of Patients With Any Hb Measurement Outside the Target Range (10-12 g/dl)

The proportion of patients with any Hb measurement outside the target range (10-12 g/dl) during 26 weeks.

Time frame: 26 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
CinnaPoietin®The Proportion of Patients With Any Hb Measurement Outside the Target Range (10-12 g/dl)0.92 proportion of patients
Eprex®The Proportion of Patients With Any Hb Measurement Outside the Target Range (10-12 g/dl)1 proportion of patients
Secondary

The Proportion of Patients With Any Permanent or Transient Dose Change

The proportion of patients with any permanent or transient dose change during 26 weeks.

Time frame: 26 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
CinnaPoietin®The Proportion of Patients With Any Permanent or Transient Dose Change0.9 proportion of patients
Eprex®The Proportion of Patients With Any Permanent or Transient Dose Change0.95 proportion of patients
Secondary

The Proportion of Patients With Maintenance Success

Maintenance success is considered as maintenance success is considered as maintenance of mean Hb concentration of 11.0 ± 1.0 g/dl for at least four consecutive weeks

Time frame: 26 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
CinnaPoietin®The Proportion of Patients With Maintenance Success0.71 proportion of patients
Eprex®The Proportion of Patients With Maintenance Success0.43 proportion of patients
Secondary

The Proportion of Patients With Treatment Success

Treatment success is considered as Hb concentration equal to or more than 11.0 g/dl and two consecutive weeks without any blood transfusion within the preceding three months

Time frame: Week 12 to week 26

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
CinnaPoietin®The Proportion of Patients With Treatment Success0.41 proportion of patients
Eprex®The Proportion of Patients With Treatment Success0.44 proportion of patients

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 25, 2026