Anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease and has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in observational studies as well as decreased patient quality of life and increased healthcare utilization.

The current standard of care includes supplemental iron, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and red blood cell transfusions, although each has drawbacks.

High doses of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents have been associated with increased cardiovascular complications and mortality.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors are novel treatments for anemia of chronic kidney disease that prevent degradation of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor, which stimulates erythropoiesis to physiologic levels.