[Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in chronic kidney disease: which route of administration?]

In the last twenty years, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have improved the management of renal anemia, with significant amelioration of quality of life in patients on hemodialysis. ESAs can be administered both intravenously and subcutaneously. In predialysis chronic kidney disease and in peritoneal dialysis, the administration route is necessarily subcutaneous. In hemodialysis the intravenous route was initially preferred because of the presence of ready vascular access for drug administration. Subsequent studies have demonstrated that the subcutaneous route allowed the achievement of optimal levels of hemoglobin with a reduction of mean administered dose, number of injections, and costs. A few years ago, the finding of a higher risk of pure red cell aplasia associated with subcutaneous administration of epoetin reopened the debate about the route of administration. We here review the studies on the preferable route of administration of epoetin and darbepoetin- alpha, in terms of efficacy and safety, and take a look at future perspectives.