Heliyon (May 2024)
The efficacy and safety of molidustat for anemia in dialysis-dependent and non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Objective: Molidustat is a novel agent investigated for the treatment of anemia in both dialysisdependent (DD) and non-dialysis-dependent (NDD) patients. Its efficacy and safety are still unclear. Methods: We searched five databases to identify randomized controlled trials comparing molidustat to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) or placebo in patients with anemia. Results: Six studies containing 2025 eligible participants were identified. For NDD patients, the change in Hb levels from baseline (ΔHb) was significantly higher for molidustat than for placebo [mean difference (MD) = 1.47 (95 % CI: 1.18 to 1.75), P < 0.00001] and ΔHb was also significantly higher for molidustat than for ESAs [MD = 0.25 (95 % CI 0.09 to 0.40), P = 0.002]. For NDD patients, Δhepcidin was significantly lower for molidustat than for placebo [MD = −20.66 (95 % CI: −31.67 to −9.66), P = 0.0002] and Δhepcidin was also significantly lower for molidustat than for ESAs [MD = −24.51 (95 % CI: −29.12 to −19.90), P < 0.00001]. For NDD patients, Δiron was significantly lower for molidustat than for ESAs [MD = −11.85 (95 % CI: −15.52 to −8.18), P < 0.00001], and ΔTSAT was also significantly lower for molidustat than for ESAs [MD = −5.29 (95 % CI: −6.81 to −3.78), P < 0.00001]. For NDD patients, Δferritin was significantly lower for molidustat than for placebo [MD = −90.01 (95 % CI: −134.77 to −45.25), P < 0.00001]. However, for DD-CKD patients, molidustat showed an effect similar to that of ESAs on increasing the Hb level [MD = −0.18 (95 % CI: −0.47 to 0.11), P = 0.23], Δiron level [MD = 3.78 (95 % CI: −7.21 to 14.76), P = 0.5], Δferritin level [MD = 25.03 (95 % CI: −34.69 to 84.75), P = 0.41], and Δhepcidin level [MD = 1.20 (95 % CI: −4.36 to 6.76), P = 0.67]. For DD-CKD patients, compared with the placebo or ESA group, molidustat showed a significantly higher level on ΔTSAT[MD = 3.88 (95 % CI: 2.10 to 5.65), P < 0.0001] and a slightly increased level on ΔTIBC level [MD = 1.08 (95 % CI: −0.07 to 2.23), P = 0.07]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of severe adverse events (SAEs), death, and cardio-related adverse events between molidustat and the ESAs groups. Conclusions: Moricizine can effectively improves Hb levels in NDD patients and corrects anemia in DD patients without increasing adverse event incidence.
