Resistance to recombinant human erythropoietin in hemodialysis patients.

The administration of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) to anemic hemodialysis patients is usually followed by a rapid increase in hemoglobin. Initial 'nonresponders' may either respond to higher doses of rHuEPO or rarely may remain totally unresponsive. Schematically, one can distinguish between a state of relative and absolute resistance to the action of the hormone. The most common causes of resistance are iron deficiency, aluminium overload, episodes of infection or other inflammatory processes, probably severe hyperparathyroidism, acute or chronic hemolytic conditions, acute or chronic blood loss, folate deficiency, and hemoglobinopathies in exceptional instances. Antibody formation against rHuEPO or marrow fibrosis secondary to rHuEPO treatment can be discarded as potential causes of resistance.