A Study of Intravenous Mircera for the Treatment of Anemia in Dialysis Patients.

• Percentage of patients in a defined Hb range, and percentage of patients with or without dose adjustments. [ Time Frame: During screening period ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Incidence of RBC transfusions [ Time Frame: Weeks 0-24 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• AEs, laboratory parameters, vital signs. [ Time Frame: Throughout study ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

This single arm study will assess the efficacy and safety of intravenous Mircera, administered with pre-filled syringes, for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis, and who have previously received treatment with epoetin alfa or beta or darbepoetin alfa. Patients will receive monthly intravenous injections of Mircera, with the starting dose derived from the dose of epoetin alfa or beta or darbepoetin they were receiving in the week preceding study start. The anticipated time on study treatment is 3-12 months, and the target sample size is 500+ individuals.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adult patients, >=18 years of age;
• chronic renal anemia;
• longterm hemodialysis for >=12 weeks before screening;
• baseline Hb between 10 and 13g/dL;
• iv or sc maintenance epoetin alfa or beta or darbepoetin alfa therapy with same dosing interval for >=4 weeks before screening.

Exclusion Criteria:

• acute or chronic bleeding within 8 weeks prior to screening;
• transfusion of red blood cells within 8 weeks prior to screening;
• poorly controlled hypertension necessitating interruption of erythropoetin treatment in previous 6 months;
• previous treatment with Mircera.