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Aim: To determine whether extended epoetin alfa dosing schedules of up to once every four weeks are as effective as weekly dosing in maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) levels in patients with anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: This randomized, open-label trial enrolled patients with anemia of CKD not on dialysis. Patients were required to have a stable Hb level (⩾ 11.0 g/dl) and to have been previously receiving epoetin alfa for two or more months. Patients were randomized to one of four subcutaneously administered epoetin alfa dosing regimens; 10,000 units (U) once weekly (QW), 20,000 U every two weeks (Q2W), 30,000 U every three weeks (Q3W) or 40,000 U every four weeks (Q4W). Dose reductions, but not escalations, were permitted. Patients received treatment for a total of 16 weeks. The primary endpoint for the trial was the mean final Hb measurements of the QW, Q2W, Q3W, and Q4W …