Table 3.

Potential advantages of roxadustat based on clinical trials

Potential advantages of roxadustat
− Increases or maintains Hb levels effectively
− Increases endogenous EPO expression in physiological range
− Regulates iron metabolism (hepcidin reduction in particular)
− Increases iron absorption and is not influenced by inflammation
− Oral route
− Inhibits HIF-PHD reversibly and transiently
− No risk of hypertension
− Lowering of cholesterol levels
− Avoidance of high EPO levels
− Avoidance of side effects induced by iron supplementation

EPO, erythropoietin; Hb, hemoglobin; HIF-PHD, hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase domain.