Desidustat is an orally administered drug that belongs to the class of hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) inhibitors. It is developed to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The drug works by stabilizing the levels of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which are natural proteins that respond to low oxygen levels in the body. This stabilization triggers the production of erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, helping to address anemia.
Mechanism of Action:
Desidustat inhibits the prolyl hydroxylase enzyme, which normally degrades HIF proteins under normal oxygen conditions. By inhibiting this enzyme, HIF proteins remain stable for longer, mimicking the body’s response to low oxygen (hypoxia). This in turn increases the production of EPO and enhances iron metabolism, improving hemoglobin levels without the need for injectable erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).
Key Features of Desidustat:
Oral administration: Unlike traditional treatments for CKD-related anemia that often require injections, Desidustat offers the convenience of oral dosing.
Non-dialysis and dialysis patients: It has been studied in both dialysis-dependent and non-dialysis CKD patients.
Clinical Trials: Desidustat has undergone clinical trials to assess its efficacy and safety for treating anemia, showing promise in improving hemoglobin levels.
Advantages:
Convenient dosing compared to injectables.
May offer better safety profiles in terms of avoiding cardiovascular risks associated with high doses of injectable ESAs.
Potential to improve iron regulation and oxygen-carrying capacity more effectively.
Desidustat is an example of a newer generation of anemia therapies for CKD, aiming to provide better outcomes with fewer side effects. It is still under development and undergoing further evaluation in clinical trials for broader use.
