Randomized Controlled Trial of Difelikefalin for Chronic Pruritus in Hemodialysis Patients

There is an unmet medical need for pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease, a distressing complication characterized by generalized and persistent itch affecting 20% to 40% of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Here we report the results of a phase 2 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of a novel peripherally restricted kappa opioid receptor agonist, difelikefalin, in adult patients undergoing hemodialysis with pruritus.

In this study, 174 hemodialysis patients with moderate-to-severe pruritus were randomly assigned to receive difelikefalin (0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 μg/kg) or placebo intravenously thrice weekly after each hemodialysis session for 8 weeks in a double-blind, controlled trial. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline at week 8 in the weekly mean of the 24-hour Worst Itching Intensity Numerical Rating Scale score. The secondary efficacy endpoint was the change in itch-related quality of life measured by the Skindex-10 questionnaire. Other endpoints included safety, sleep quality, and additional measures including the 5-D itch scale.

A significant reduction from baseline in itch intensity scores at week 8 favored all difelikefalin doses combined versus placebo (P = 0.002). Difelikefalin also showed improvement over placebo in Skindex-10, 5-D itch, and sleep disturbance scores (P ≤ 0.005). Overall, 78% of patients receiving difelikefalin reported treatment-emergent adverse events versus 42% of patients given placebo, with diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, somnolence, and fall being the most frequent (≥5%).

In this trial, difelikefalin effectively reduced itching intensity and improved sleep and itch-related quality of life.