What the trial was testing
The ASCEND-D enrolled 2,964 patients with kidney disease. The study was sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
Daprodustat raised hemoglobin levels as effectively as standard injections in dialysis patients.
The New England journal of medicine · 2021 · NCT02879305
These findings — that similar rates of heart problems, death, and stroke between the pill and injections — were published in the The New England journal of medicine and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 2,964 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with kidney disease, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Daprodustat is FDA-approved for treating anemia in adults on dialysis (approved in 2024 as Jesduvroq). It offers a pill option instead of injections. Talk to your kidney doctor about whether this treatment might work for you.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open kidney disease trials
A Study to Assess the Effect of Surovatamig in Adult Participants With Antibody-mediated Kidney Disease
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and efficacy of surovatamig administered by subcutaneous injection in adult participants with primary membranous nephropathy.
Proteogenomic Monitoring and Assessment of Liver Transplant Recipients
This study is being done to test blood, urine and tissue samples to see if this can help decide if CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease), AR (Acute Rejection) and HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) can be identified in its early stages. CKD damage to the kidneys, AR and HCV all lower the body's ability to function properly. Early detection of these conditions could assist with successful treatment and possibly lead to less repeat organ transplants.