HIF prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor

Hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHIs) are a novel class of oral medications developed for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD). These drugs work by inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor-proline dioxygenase (HIF prolyl-hydroxylase), which are responsible for the degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) under normal oxygen conditions. By stabilizing HIF, these inhibitors mimic the body's natural response to hypoxia, leading to increased endogenous erythropoietin production and improved iron metabolism. HIF-PHIs have shown efficacy in correcting and maintaining hemoglobin levels in both dialysis-dependent and non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients, offering an alternative to traditional erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs).