A Study of Subcutaneous Mircera in Participants With Chronic Kidney Disease Not Treated With ESA or on Dialysis (MERCUR)

A Study of Subcutaneous Mircera in Participants With Chronic Kidney Disease Not Treated With ESA or on Dialysis

Single-arm, Open Study to Investigate the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Monthly Subcutaneously Administered C.E.R.A. in Patients With Renal Anemia Not Yet Subject to Dialysis and Not Yet Permanently Treated With ESAs

This single arm study will assess the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous Mircera for correction of anemia in participants with chronic kidney disease who are not treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) and not on dialysis. Eligible participants will receive Mircera by monthly subcutaneous injections. The initial dose, based on body weight, will be 1.2 micrograms/kilogram (mcg/kg). The anticipated time on study treatment is 9-11 months, and the target sample size is 100-500 individuals.

Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta will be administered subcutaneously once a month. The starting dose will be 1.2 mcg/kg of body weight. Further dose adjustments will be performed during the study depending on the hemoglobin value. Total duration of treatment will be 9 months for all participants in the study and up to 11 months for participants who will be shifted to the dialysis.

Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta will be administered subcutaneously once a month. The starting dose will be 1.2 mcg/kg of body weight. Further dose adjustments will be performed during the study depending on the hemoglobin value. Total duration of treatment will be 9 months for all participants in the study and up to 11 months for participants who will be shifted to the dialysis.

Percentage of Participants With Both Hemoglobin Values of the Evaluation Phase in the Range of 11-12 Grams Per Deciliter (g/dL)

Participants with both hemoglobin values of the evaluation phase (Months 8 and 9, i.e., Study Days 200-260, values were at least 21 days apart) in the range of 11-12 g/dL were classified as responder. Participants who received transfusion of erythrocytes between Study Day 139 and 260, or with at least one value missing or outside the range were classified as non-responder for the hemoglobin-range concerned.

Percentage of Participants With Both Hemoglobin Values of the Evaluation Phase in the Range of 11-13 g/dL

Participants with both hemoglobin values of the evaluation phase (Months 8 and 9, i.e., Study Days 200-260, values were at least 21 days apart) in the range of 11-13 g/dL were classified as responder. Participants who received transfusion of erythrocytes between Study Day 139 and 260, or with at least one value missing or outside the range were classified as non-responder for the hemoglobin-range concerned.

The change from the baseline hemoglobin value to the mean hemoglobin value of the evaluation phase was only calculated if both the baseline value and the mean of the evaluation phase (mean of Months 8 and 9) were available. In case of only one available hemoglobin value within the evaluation phase, that single value replaced the mean.

The duration of hemoglobin values staying within the range of 11-12 g/dL was defined as the number of (not necessarily consecutive) months with all corresponding hemoglobin values in the respective range. All months with missing hemoglobin values were counted as months where the hemoglobin value did not stay within the respective range.

The duration of hemoglobin values staying within the range of 11-13 g/dL was defined as the number of (not necessarily consecutive) months with all corresponding hemoglobin values in the respective range. All months with missing hemoglobin values were counted as months where the hemoglobin value did not stay within the respective range.

The duration (number of months) until the hemoglobin value exceeded 11 g/dL for the first time was summarized for participants for whom at least one measured hemoglobin value exceeded 11 g/dL.

A dose adjustment was defined as a change versus the preceding dose. It included dose increase, dose reduction and dose interruption. An interruption (no dose given) was always counted as a dose adjustment, regardless of whether or not at the previous time point a dose had been administered. After an interruption a change in the dose relative to the dose given before the interruption was counted as a dose adjustment.

RBC transfusions could be given during the study, if medically necessary, i.e., in participants with severe anemia with distinct symptoms or signs of anemia (such as in participants with acute blood loss, with severe angina, or whose hemoglobin decreased to critical levels).

Inclusion Criteria: chronic renal anemia; hemoglobin value less than or equal to (<=) 10.5 grams/deciliter (g/dL). Exclusion Criteria: prior ESA therapy during previous 3 months; acute or chronic bleeding requiring therapy during previous 2 months; transfusion of red blood cells during previous 2 months; active malignant disease (except non-melanoma skin cancer).