Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A 52-week, Phase III, Double-blind, Active-controlled, Parallel-group, Multi-center Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Daprodustat Compared to Darbepoetin Alfa in Japanese Hemodialysis-dependent Subjects With Anemia Associated With Chronic Kidney Disease Who Are Currently ESA Users
Brief Summary: Daprodustat is a drug that is currently being developed as a treatment for renal anemia . This study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of daprodustat following a switch from erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) in Japanese HD subjects with renal anemia who are currently treated with ESA. The primary objective is to demonstrate non-inferiority of daprodustat to darbepoetin alfa. This study is a 52-week, Phase III, double-blind, active-controlled, parallel-group, multi-center study. The total duration of the study will be approximately 58 weeks including screening and follow-up.


Options:
A: Key Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 to 82 years of age, inclusive
* Chronic Kidney Disease with a GFR category of G3a-G5 and not yet on dialysis
* eGFR ≥ 10 and ≤ 65 mL/minute/1.73 m2
* Anemia secondary to CKD with an ESA status and a Screening HGB as per protocol
* Iron replete with ferritin and TSAT levels as defined per protocol

Key Exclusion Criteria:

* BMI \> 44.0 kg/m2
* Red blood cell transfusion within 11 weeks prior to the Screening visit
* Androgen therapy within the previous 21 days prior to the Screening visit
* Intravenous iron within the past 4 weeks prior to the Screening visit
* AST or ALT \>1.8x ULN, alkaline phosphatase \>2x ULN, or total bilirubin \>1.5x ULN
* Screening ECG with QTc \> 500 msec
* Uncontrolled hypertension
* Class III or IV congestive heart failure
* Myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, or stroke within 6 months prior to the Screening visit
B: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age and weight: \>/=18 years of age and \>/=45 kg (weight post-dialysis).
2. On three times weekly hemodialysis for at least 8 weeks, irrespective of eGFR values and stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
3. A single-pool Kt/Vurea of \>/=1.2 based on a historical value obtained within the prior month in order to ensure the adequacy of dialysis. If Kt/Vurea is not available, then an average of the last 2 values of urea reduction ratio (URR) of at least 65%.
4. rhEPO use: Using the same rhEPO (epoetins or darbepoetin) with total weekly doses that varied by no more than 50% during the prior 4 weeks (i.e., maximum vs. minimum total weekly doses \</=50%).
5. Hgb concentrations 9.5-12.0 g/dL (inclusive).
6. Vitamin B12 above the lower limit of the reference range (may rescreen in two months).
7. Folate: \>/= 2.0 ng/mL (may rescreen in one month).
8. Ferritin: \>/=40 ng/mL with the absence of microcytic or hypochromic RBCs.
9. Transferrin saturation (TSAT): Within the reference range.
10. Iron replacement therapy: Stable maintenance dose of oral iron replacement therapy, if required, that will be maintained throughout the study. NOTE: IV iron replacement therapy is not allowed the two weeks prior to Screening through the end of the study (Week 6).
11. QTc: QTcB \<470 msec or QTcB \<480 msec in subjects with bundle branch block obtained at Screening Visit (based on Central Reader's interpretation).
12. Females: Eligible to participate if she is of childbearing potential, and must agree to use one of the approved contraception methods from Screening until completion of the Follow-up Visit OR of non-childbearing potential defined as pre-menopausal females with a documented tubal ligation of hysterectomy; or postmenopausal defined as 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea \[in questionable cases a blood sample with simultaneous follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)\>40MIU/ml and estradiol \<40pg/ml is confirmatory\]. Females on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) whose menopausal status is in doubt will be required to use one of the approved contraception methods if they wish to continue their HRT during the study. Otherwise they must discontinue HRT to allow confirmation of post-menopausal status prior to study enrolment. For most forms of HRT, at least 2 weeks will elapse between the cessation of therapy and the blood draw; this interval depends on the type and dosage of HRT. Following confirmation of their post-menopausal status, they can resume use of HRT during the study without use of a contraceptive method.
13. Males: Must agree to use one of the approved contraceptive methods from the time of Screening until completion of the Follow-up Visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Dialysis modality: On peritoneal dialysis OR planned change in dialysis modality within the study time period.
2. rhEPO Hyporesponders: As defined by an epoetin dose of \>/=360 IU/kg/week IV or darbepoetin dose of \>/=1.8 µg/kg/week IV within the prior 8 weeks.
3. Renal transplant: Renal transplant anticipated or scheduled within the study time period or subjects with a functioning renal transplant.
4. Mircera or Peginesatide: Current or prior use (within the prior 8 weeks) of Mircera (methoxy polyethylene glycol epoetin beta) OR peginesatide.
5. Total CPK: \>5x the upper limit of the reference range.
6. HIV: Positive HIV antibody.
7. History of myocardial infarction or acute coronary syndrome within the prior 6 months.
8. History of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) within the prior 6 months.
9. Heart failure: Class III/IV heart failure, as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system.
10. Hypertension: Poorly controlled hypertension, whether due to inadequate treatment, or lack of treatment, is defined as follows:

    * DBP \>100 mmHg or SBP\>160 mmHg for subjects taking hypertension medication(s) before screening and dialysis, if required.
    * DBP \>105 mmHg or SBP\>170 mmHg for subjects who are asked to hold hypertension medication(s) before screening and dialysis.
11. Thrombotic Disease: History of thrombotic disease (e.g., venous thrombosis such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or arterial thrombosis such as new onset or worsening limb ischemia requiring intervention), or other thrombosis related condition except shunt thrombosis) within the prior 6 months.
12. Pulmonary hypertension: Known pulmonary hypertension and those at higher risk (than normally associated with CKD) for pre-existing elevation in pulmonary pressure (e.g., significant heart failure or lung disease requiring supplemental oxygen, or those with connective tissue diseases).
13. Inflammatory disease: Chronic inflammatory disease that could impact erythropoiesis (e.g., scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease).
14. Haematological disease: Any haematological disease including those affecting platelets, the coagulation disorders (e.g., Protein C or S deficiency) or red blood cells (e.g. sickle cell anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, haematological malignancy, myeloma, haemolytic anemia) or any other cause of anemia other than renal disease.
15. Liver disease: Current liver disease, known hepatic or biliary abnormalities (with the exception of Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones) or evidence at Screening of abnormal liver function tests \[alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) \> 2.0 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin \> 1.5 x ULN\]; or other hepatic abnormalities that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude the subject from participation in the study.
16. Major surgery: (excluding vascular access surgery) Within the prior 12 weeks or planned during the study.
17. Transfusion: Blood transfusion within the prior 12 weeks or an anticipated need for blood transfusion during the study.
18. Ulcer and Active GI Bleeding: Evidence of active peptic, duodenal, or esophageal ulcer disease OR GI bleeding within the prior 12 weeks.
19. Acute infection: Clinical evidence of acute infection or history of infection requiring intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy the eight weeks prior to Screening through Day 1 (randomization).
20. Malignancy: History of malignancy within the prior 5 years or are receiving treatment for cancer or those with a strong family history of cancer (e.g., familial cancer disorders), with the exception of squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma of the skin that has been definitively treated.
21. Eyes: History of proliferative retinopathy requiring treatment within the prior 12 months or macular edema requiring treatment.
22. Severe reactions: History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions or hypersensitivity to excipients in the investigational product.
23. Drugs and supplements: Use of any prescription or non-prescription drugs or dietary supplements that are prohibited from Screening until the Follow-up Visit.
24. Androgens: New androgen therapy or changes to pre-existing androgen regimen within the prior 12 weeks.
25. Prior investigational product exposure: The Subject has participated in a clinical trial and has received an experimental investigational product within the prior 30 days.
26. Protocol compliance: Unwillingness or inability to follow the procedures, or lifestyle and/or dietary restrictions outlined in the protocol.
27. Other Conditions: Any condition which in the investigator's opinion should exclude the subject from participating in the study.
28. Pregnancy or Lactation: Pregnant females as determined by positive serum hCG test OR women who are lactating at Screening or during the trial.
C: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ability to understand and give informed consent for participation. 2. Hemoglobin values during the screening period must be 8-11 g/dL (both inclusive).

3.

1. Patients will be considered not treated with erythropoietin analogue (Epoetin and Darbepoeitin) if they have not received erythropoietin analogue for at least 4 weeks and Mircera® for at least 8 weeks prior to screening visit. OR
2. Patients who are on ESA therapy must be on stable dose for 4 weeks prior to enrollment (≤30% of dose change).

   4. Patients on hemodialysis (≥2 times in a week) for at least 12 weeks prior to screening visit and have access consisting of an arteriovenous fistula, AV graft, or catheter (permanent/temporary).

   5. Patients with no planned change in dialysis modality and with no planned renal transplant during study period.

   6. Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40% by echocardiogram prior to randomization.

   7. No iron, folate or Vitamin B12 deficiency.

   8. Females of childbearing potential, must agree to use one of the approved contraception methods, from screening until completion of the follow-up visit.

   Exclusion Criteria:
   1. Red blood cell transfusion within 8 weeks prior to participating in the study.
   2. History of previous or concurrent cancer.
   3. Serologic status reflecting active hepatitis B or C infection or Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
   4. Active infection at initiation of study.
   5. History of renal transplant.
   6. Uncontrolled hypertension (defined as SBP \>180 mmHg or DBP \>100 mmHg) at screening visit (before dialysis).
   7. Patient on high rhEPO dose at screening visit. \[High dose defined as an epoetin dose of ≥450 IU/kg/week intravenous or ≥ 300 IU/kg/week subcutaneous or darbepoetin dose of ≥1.5 µg/kg/week subcutaneous\].
   8. Major surgery within 90 days of the first day of study drug dosing, and minor surgery within 30 days of the first day of study drug dosing.
   9. Unable to swallow tablets or disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function and/or inhibiting small intestine absorption such as; malabsorption syndrome, resection of the small bowel or poorly controlled inflammatory bowel disease affecting the small intestine.
   10. History of uncontrolled autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or thalassemia.
   11. Presence or a history of bleeding disorders or clinical conditions (e.g. gastrointestinal \[GI\] bleeding or constitutional disorders) that may increase risk of life-threatening bleeding.
   12. History of stroke or intracranial hemorrhage within 6 months prior to enrollment.
   13. History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to Desidustat or Epoetin alfa or to any erythropoieisis-stimulating agent.
   14. Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
   15. Current life-threatening illness, medical condition or organ system dysfunction which, in the Investigator's opinion, could compromise the patient's safety.
   16. Other laboratory abnormalities that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the patient's safety or interfere with data interpretation.
   17. Presence of other clinically significant systemic disorders or diseases (e.g., respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immunological, dermatological, neurological, psychiatric disease or any other body system involvement) which, in the Investigator's opinion, could compromise the patient's safety.
   18. History of significant alcoholism or drug abuse within the past 1 year. History or presence of significant smoking (more than 10 cigarettes per day) or consumption of tobacco/nicotine products (more than 10 times per day).
   19. History of difficulty with donating blood.
   20. History or presence of any clinically significant electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities during screening.
   21. Participants who have participated in any drug research study other than the present trial within past 3 months.
   22. Participants who have donated one unit (350 ml) of blood in the past 3 months or history of whole blood transfusion in last 120 days prior to entry in the study.
   23. Existing clinically active chronic inflammatory disease (RA, Celiac disease, UC, Crohns disease)
   24. In case of DM patients, HbA1c \>9%.
   25. Female volunteers with following criteria will not be recruited:

       * History of pregnancy or lactation in the past 3 months
       * Fertile female volunteers not protected against pregnancy by adequate long- term anti-fertility measures
       * History of less than 1 year of menopause and not using adequate long-term anti-fertility measures
       * Positive urine pregnancy test at Visit 2
       * Positive serum β-hCG level at the screening visit
   26. Currently active clinically significant cardiovascular disease such as uncontrolled arrhythmia, congestive heart failure, any class 3 or 4 cardiac disease as defined by the New York Heart Association Functional Classification or history of myocardial infarction prior to first dose with study drug.
D: Inclusion Criteria

* Age (informed consent): \>=20 years of age
* Dialysis: On HD or hemodiafiltration (HDF) given three times weekly for at least 12 weeks prior to screening
* ESAs: Use of one and the same ESA for 10 weeks prior to screening
* ESA dose: Darbepoetin alfa 10 to 60 μg per week, epoetin (including biosimilars) \<=9000 international units (IU) per week, or epoetin beta pegol \<=250 μg per 4 weeks
* Hgb:\>=9.5 g/dL and \<=12.5 g/dL. Determined at the site using an Hgb analyzer
* Iron parameters: Ferritin \>100 nanogram (ng)/millilitre (mL) or transferrin saturation (TSAT) \>20 percent (screening verification only)
* Gender (screening verification only): Female or male

Females: Not pregnant \[demonstrated to be negative for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in serum\], not breast-feeding, and meet at least one of the following:

• Females of non-childbearing potential are defined as follows:

Pre-menopausal with at least one of the following and no plans to utilise assisted reproductive techniques (e.g., in vitro fertilisation or donor embryo transfer):

* History of bilateral tubal ligation or salpingectomy
* History of hysteroscopic tubal occlusion and postoperatively documented bilateral tubal obstruction
* History of hysterectomy
* History of bilateral oophorectomy Postmenopausal defined as A) females 60 years of age or older or B) In females \< 60 years of age, 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea \[in questionable cases a blood sample with postmenopausal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol concentrations is confirmatory (see separately specified reference ranges)\]. Females on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) whose menopausal status is in doubt will be required to use one of the most effective contraception methods if they wish to continue their HRT during the study. Otherwise they must discontinue HRT to allow confirmation of post-menopausal status prior to study enrolment.

  • Females of childbearing potential must agree to comply with one of the contraception methods listed as requirements in "GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Listing of Most Effective Contraceptive Methods for Females of Childbearing Potential from 28 days prior to the first dose of study medication until the completion of the follow-up visit.
* Informed consent: Written informed consent, including adherence to the requirements and conditions specified in the consent form and the protocol, must be obtained from each subject.

Exclusion Criteria

CKD-related criteria

* Kidney transplant: Planned living-related kidney transplant during the study

Anemia-related criteria

* Aplasia: History of bone-marrow hypoplasia or pure red cell aplasia
* Other causes of anemia: pernicious anemia, thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, or myelodysplastic syndromes
* Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding: Evidence of actively bleeding gastric, duodenal, or esophageal ulcer disease OR clinically significant GI bleeding within 10 weeks prior to screening or during a period from screening to Day 1

Cardiovascular disease-related criteria

* Myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, or transient ischemic attack: Diagnosed within 10 weeks prior to screening or during a period from screening to Day 1
* Heart failure: Chronic Class IV heart failure, as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system
* Corrected QT (QTc) Interval (screening verification only): QTc \>500 milliseconds (msec); or QTc \>530 msec in subjects with bundle branch block Note: QT interval corrected using the Bazett's formula (QTcB) will be used, and electrocardiogram (ECG) can be mechanically or manually read

Other disease-related criteria:

* Liver disease (if any of the following occurs):

  * Alanine transaminase (ALT) \>2 upper limit of normal (ULN)
  * Bilirubin \>1.5×ULN (isolated bilirubin \>1.5 ULN is acceptable if bilirubin is fractionated and direct bilirubin is \<35 percent)
  * Current unstable active liver or biliary disease (generally defined by the onset of ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminemia, esophageal/gastric varices, persistent jaundice, or cirrhosis)
* Malignancy: History of malignancy within 2 years prior to screening, currently receiving treatment for cancer, or complex kidney cyst \>3 centimeters (cm) (II F, III or IV based on the Bosniak classification)

Concomitant medication and other study treatment-related criteria

* Iron: Planned use of intravenous iron during the screening phase or during a period from Day 1 to Week 4
* Severe allergic reactions: History of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions or hypersensitivity to excipients in the investigational product.
* Drugs and supplements: Use or planned use of any prescription or non-prescription drugs or dietary supplements that are prohibited during the study period \[prohibited medications: strong inducers and inhibitor of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8\].
* Prior investigational product exposure: Use of an investigational agent within 30 days or five half lives of the investigational agent (whichever is longer)
* Prior treatment with daprodustat: Any prior treatment with daprodustat for a treatment duration of \>30 days

General health-related criteria

* Other conditions: Any other condition, clinical or laboratory abnormality, or examination finding that the investigator (or subinvestigator) considers would put the subject at unacceptable risk, which may affect study compliance or prevent understanding of the aims or investigational procedures or possible consequences of the study.

Answer: D