scholarly journals Durable Red Blood Cell Transfusion Independence in a Patient with an MDS/MPN Overlap Syndrome Following Discontinuation of Iron Chelation Therapy

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harpreet Kochhar ◽  
Chantal S. Leger ◽  
Heather A. Leitch
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Iron Overload ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy ◽  
Transfusion Independence ◽  
Rbc Transfusion

Background. Hematologic improvement (HI) occurs in some patients with acquired anemias and transfusional iron overload receiving iron chelation therapy (ICT) but there is little information on transfusion status after stopping chelation.Case Report. A patient with low IPSS risk RARS-T evolved to myelofibrosis developed a regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirement. There was no response to a six-month course of study medication or to erythropoietin for three months. At 27 months of transfusion dependence, she started deferasirox and within 6 weeks became RBC transfusion independent, with the hemoglobin normalizing by 10 weeks of chelation. After 12 months of chelation, deferasirox was stopped; she remains RBC transfusion independent with a normal hemoglobin 17 months later. We report the patient’s course in detail and review the literature on HI with chelation.Discussion. There are reports of transfusion independence with ICT, but that transfusion independence may be sustained long term after stopping chelation deserves emphasis. This observation suggests that reduction of iron overload may have a lasting favorable effect on bone marrow failure in at least some patients with acquired anemias.

Improved survival with iron chelation therapy for red blood cell transfusion dependent lower IPSS risk MDS may be more significant in patients with a non-RARS diagnosis

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 1380-1386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A. Leitch ◽  
Christopher Chan ◽  
Chantal S. Leger ◽  
Lynda M. Foltz ◽  
Khaled M. Ramadan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy

Improved survival in red blood cell transfusion dependent patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) receiving iron chelation therapy

2009 ◽  
pp. n/a-n/a ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather A. Leitch ◽  
Jocelyn M. Chase ◽  
Trisha A. Goodman ◽  
Hatoon Ezzat ◽  
Meaghan D. Rollins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Primary Myelofibrosis ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy

Improved Survival in Red Blood Cell Transfusion Dependent Patients with Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF) Receiving Iron Chelation Therapy.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1748-1748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Leitch ◽  
Hatoon Ezzat ◽  
Meaghan D Rollins ◽  
Trisha A Goodman ◽  
Chantal S Leger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Monocyte Count ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy ◽  
Wbc Count ◽  
Rbc Transfusion

Abstract Patients (pts) with PMF and iron overload (IOL) may receive iron chelation therapy (ICT), although there are no data demonstrating that this improves clinical outcome. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependent (TD) pts with thalassemia receiving ICT have improved survival and decreased end-organ toxicities and RBC-TD pts with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) receiving ICT have improved survival. We performed a review of 41 pts seen from January 1987 to April 2007 with a bone marrow biopsy confirmed diagnosis (Dx) of PMF. Clinical data were collected from the practice database, the Provincial Home Hemosiderosis Program of British Columbia database, and by chart review. Pts receiving ICT were treated with desferrioxamine (DFO) 0.5–3g by subcutaneous infusion over 12 hours, 35 days per week or with deferasirox (DFX) 20mg/kg/day orally, dose adjusted to response and pt tolerance. 29 were male and 12 female. Median age at PMF Dx was 64 (43–86) years (y) and 24 pts were >60y. White blood cell (WBC) count at Dx was <4 or >30x109/L in 8, hemoglobin (Hgb) <100 G/L in 5, platelet count <100x109/L in 5, monocyte count >1x109/L in 7. Karyotype analysis was: normal, n=16; del(6)(q25), n=1; tri(14), str12p, n=1; complex, n=1. Lille, Strasser and Mayo prognostic scores were: low risk, n=15, 8, 11; intermediate, n=15, 19, 9; high, n=5, 11, 5 respectively. Primary PMF treatment was: supportive care, n=23; hydroxyurea, n=10; immunomodulatory, n=4; splenectomy, n=2. Clinical evidence of IOL was documented in 21 pts; number of RBC units (NRBCU) received, n=18; ferritin >2000ug/l, n=6 (and ferritin >1000ug/l, n=1); CHF, n=5; liver disease, n=3; endocrine, n=3. 16 pts were RBC transfusion–independent (TI) and 25 were TD; of these 10 received ICT. Median duration of ICT was 18.3 (0.1–117) months (mo) and reasons for initiating ICT were: NRBCU received, n=9; elevated ferritin, n=6; clinical evidence of IOL, n=3. Five pts received DFO, 4 DFX, and 1 DFO followed by DFX. In ICT pts, initial/Pre-ICT ferritin levels were significantly higher than in TD-NO ICT pts at a median of 2318 (range 263–8400) and 527 (120–934) mg/L respectively (p=0.05) and decreased significantly in TD-ICT pts at most recent follow-up to 1571 (1005–3211) mg/L (p=0.01). Causes of death were: TI patients, no deaths; TD-NO ICT patients, 11 deaths (73%): probably PMF-related, n=9; progression to PMF-blast phase (BP), n=3; sepsis, n=3; cardiac, n=2; bleeding, n=1, unknown, n=2 ; TD-ICT patients, 2 deaths (20%); PMF-BP, n=1; bleeding, n=1. Kaplan- Meier analysis showed a median overall survival (OS) for all pts of 126.5 (14.4–293.2) mo. In a univariate analysis of TD pts, factors significant for OS (and 5y OS) were: WBC count at Dx (4.0–30x109/L, 69%; <4.0 or >30x109/L, 0%; p=0.002); monocyte count at Dx (<1.0x109/L, 74%; >1.0x109/L, 0%; p=0.0001); Mayo prognostic score (low, 67%; intermediate, 50%; high, 0%; p=0.05); NRBCU transfused (<20U, 30%; 21–50U, 27%; >50U, 12%; p=0.02) and receiving ICT (ICT, 89%; NO-ICT, 34%; p=0.003). In Cox regression analysis of TD pts, factors significant for OS were: NRBCU (p=0.001) and ICT (p=0.0001). For TI, TD-NO ICT and TD-ICT pts respectively the median OS was not reached (NR) at 200 mo, 58 mo and NR at 293 mo respectively (p=0.01 for TD-NO ICT vs TI and NS for TD-ICT vs. TI). The hazard ratio (HR) for pts receiving >20 RBCU was increased at 7.6 (95% CI 1.2–49.3) and the HR for pts receiving ICT was improved at 0.15 (0.03–0.77). In conclusion, 61% of PMF pts developed RBC-TD and had inferior OS, however TD pts receiving ICT had superior OS compared to TD pts not receiving ICT and the OS of TD-ICT pts was comparable to the OS of TI patients, suggesting a benefit to ICT. These are to our knowledge the first data documenting improved clinical outcome in pts with PMF receiving ICT. Prospective studies of IOL and the impact of ICT in pts with PMF are warranted.

scholarly journals Red Blood Cell Transfusion Independence Following the Initiation of Iron Chelation Therapy in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha A. Badawi ◽  
Linda M. Vickars ◽  
Jocelyn M. Chase ◽  
Heather A. Leitch
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Transfusion Requirement ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Hemoglobin Level ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy ◽  
Transfusion Independence ◽  
Transfusion Requirements ◽  
Rbc Transfusion

Iron chelation therapy is often used to treat iron overload in patients requiring transfusion of red blood cells (RBC). A 76-year-old man with MDS type refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia, intermediate-1 IPSS risk, was referred when he became transfusion dependent. He declined infusional chelation but subsequently accepted oral therapy. Following the initiation of chelation, RBC transfusion requirement ceased and he remained transfusion independent over 40 months later. Over the same time course, ferritin levels decreased but did not normalize. There have been eighteen other MDS patients reported showing improvement in hemoglobin level with iron chelation; nine became transfusion independent, nine had decreased transfusion requirements, and some showed improved trilineage myelopoiesis. The clinical features of these patients are summarized and possible mechanisms for such an effect of iron chelation on cytopenias are discussed.

scholarly journals Red Blood Cell Transfusion Independence Following the Initiation of Iron Chelation Therapy in Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4844-4844
Author(s):  
Maha A Badawi ◽  
Linda M Vickars ◽  
Jocelyn M Chase ◽  
Heather A Leitch
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Myelodysplastic Syndrome ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Ferritin Level ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy ◽  
Transfusion Independence ◽  
Transfusion Requirements ◽  
Rbc Transfusion

Abstract Abstract 4844 Background Iron chelation therapy (ICT) is often used to treat iron overload (IOL) in patients (pts) requiring transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) for chronic anemia. In myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), guidelines recommend consideration of ICT in pts with lower risk International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and IOL as defined by a ferritin level >1000 ug/l; IOL related organ dysfunction; or receipt of ≥20 RBC units. During treatment of a pt with MDS and IOL with ICT, RBC transfusion requirement (TR) ceased. Here we report his course and review reported cases of RBC transfusion independence (TI) or decreased RBC TR in MDS pts receiving ICT. Methods The pt chart was reviewed and reported cases identified by PubMed search using the terms ‘MDS’ and ‘iron chelation’. The clinical characteristics and course of published cases were summarized. Case A 76 year (y) old man was referred in May 2004 for management of MDS diagnosed in 1997, when the white blood cell (WBC) count was 2.4 ×109/l; neutrophils, 0.7 ×109/l; hemoglobin (Hb), 133 g/l; platelets, 108 ×109/l. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showed refractory anemia (RA), karyotype analysis 46,X,-Y,+8, and the IPSS score was intermediate-1. The erythropoitin (epo) level was 148.3 mIU/ml and the stem cell assay showed no epo-independent colony growth. In 2004 the Hb dropped to 60 g/l prompting the initiation of RBC transfusion support. He required 3 RBC units every 4 weeks to maintain a Hb >90 g/l and complained of fatigue and functional limitation. Creatinine, bilirubin, TSH, reticulocyte count, B12 and folate levels were all normal. The ferritin level in 2004 was 1293 ug/l and 2197 ug/l in 2006. He declined ICT with deferoxamine (DFO) but in 2006 accepted deferasirox (DFX). He required several dose interruptions and adjustments for renal insufficiency; the current dose is 5mg/kg/d with a normal creatinine. Two months (mo) after starting ICT, the Hb increased spontaneously to 109 g/l and he has not required RBC transfusion since. The mean Hb since starting ICT was 122 g/l and the ferritin decreased to 1082 ug/l in 2009. The most recent neutrophil count was 3.5 ×109/l, platelets consistently clump and the MCV is unchanged at 120 fl. He reports excellent energy and an improved quality of life, and has remained clinically well and RBC transfusion independent to the present, 36 mo from the initiation of ICT. Literature review There are 18 published cases of MDS showing improvement in Hb with ICT; 9 became RBC transfusion independent. Characteristics of the 10 TI pts were: median age at MDS diagnosis 58 (range 18-74) y; male, n=5. MDS subtype: RA, n=5; RARS, n=2, RCMD, n=1; RAEB, n=2. IPSS (reported in 8): low, n=1; int-1, n=5; int-1 or 2, n=1; high, n=1. ICT was: DFO, n=7; DFX, n=3. Median time to RBC TI was 17.5 (1-24) mo and TI duration 13 (3-28) mo to date. Of pts who had decreased RBC transfusion requirements with ICT but did not achieve transfusion independence: median age (reported in 3) was 67 (45-78) y; gender (reported in 3) female, n=3; MDS subtype: RA, n=8; RAEB-t, n=1; IPSS: int-1, n=3; ICT: DFO, n=8; DFX, n=1. Median time to decreased TR was 14.4 (3-24) mo; median duration of decreased TR (reported in 3) 9 (6-32) mo; initial TR 50.9 (19.7-447) g Hb/mo; median decrease in TR 12.7 (0.1-88) g Hb/mo. In one report of 6 pts, 2 with pancytopenia showed improvement with ICT in WBC from 1.4 to 1.9 ×109/l (p<0.0001) and neutrophils from 0.51 to 0.94 ×109/l (p<0.001). The platelet count increased from 16.6 to 22.5 ×109/l (p<0.001) and 14.6 to 29.6 ×109/l (p<0.00001) within 3 mo and the MCV decreased significantly in 5 by a mean of 5.1 (2.1-11.7) fl, normalizing in 2. In a second report, neutrophils increased in 8 of 9 pts; in 4 the initial neutrophil count was <1 ×109/l, and platelet counts increased in 7 of 11 pts, in 4 the initial platelet count was <20 ×109/l. Conclusions In summary, our pt is the 19th patient with MDS reported to date in whom improved Hb followed the initiation of ICT; 9 had a decrease in RBC transfusion requirements, and RBC transfusion independence occurred in 10. The remarkable course of these pts adds to evidence that ICT may be of clinical benefit for selected patients with MDS and IOL. Although the improvement in WBC and platelet counts with ICT in some pts implies a suppressive effect of IOL on hematopoiesis that may be abrogated by ICT, the mechanism by which the effects of ICT on transfusion requirements occur, and the frequency with which they occur, remains an area for future investigation. Disclosures Off Label Use: This presentation discusses the use of iron chelation therapy deferoxamine and deferasirox in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.. Vickars:Novartis Canada: Honoraria, Research Funding. Leitch:Novartis Canada: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.

Quality of Life and Economic Impact of Red Blood Cell (RBC) Transfusions on Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS).

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 4716-4716 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Brechignac ◽  
E. Hellstrom-Lindberg ◽  
D. T. Bowen ◽  
T. M. DeWitte ◽  
M. Cazzola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Subcutaneous Administration ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
International Prognostic Scoring System ◽  
Blood Collection ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy

Abstract Background: Supportive care with blood product transfusions is the primary management strategy for the majority of patients with MDS. Approximately 80% of MDS patients are anemic at the time of presentation and more than 40% require regular RBC transfusions at some stage of disease, while platelet transfusions are less often required. Methods: In an effort to systematically study quality of life and economic cost associated with transfusion dependency (especially RBC transfusions), The MDS Foundation has disseminated a practices and treatment survey to its Centers of Excellence and is also accumulating transfusion data. Retrospective and prospective data collected include hematologic parameters defining transfusion need; percentage (%) of MDS patients requiring transfusion; % of transfusion-dependent MDS patients by subtype and International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) risk group; per patient frequency of transfusions; % of patients requiring iron chelation therapy. Results: A total of 30 Centers have replied to the survey to date, and responses reveal that a substantial proportion of MDS patients receive multiple RBC transfusions with most of these patients needing chelation therapy with desferoxamine (generally subcutaneous administration, 4-times weekly): Table 1. In addition, detailed data are available from 4 European Centers that have provided transfusion records from randomly selected multiply-transfused MDS patients: 38 patients (median age: 73) received a median of 42 transfusions over the last 24 months (range: 11–207). The average per transfusion costs calculated from estimates provided by the 4 European centers is 436 euros or $ 526 ($1 US dollar = 0.83 euros), where the per transfusion cost includes 2 filtered red blood cell units, blood collection, administrative costs, and staff time, resulting in a median per patient cost over the last 24 months of 11,118 euros (range: 5668–21,800 euros). This does not include the cost of chelation therapy (300 euros/month for desferioxamine SC) and indirect costs (e.g., time spent at transfusion facility, travel time for patient to facility, travel and wait time for private caretaker or family member). Conclusion: Preliminary data analysis from the ongoing retrospective study suggests that the transfusion burden to MDS patients and to society, in terms of quality of life and cost, is much greater than generally appreciated. Updated data of this study will be presented. Table 1: RBC Transfusion-dependent MDS patients Mean % IPSS low risk 39 IPSS intermediate-1 risk 50 IPSS intermediate-2 risk 63 IPSS high risk 79 Iron chelation therapy 28

Transfusion-Related Iron Overload: A Covert Risk Of Supportive Cancer Care

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 3656-3656
Author(s):  
Anushka Jaffer ◽  
Rebecca Barty ◽  
Erin Jamula ◽  
Grace Wang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Overload ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy ◽  
Not Given ◽  
Screening Practices ◽  
Rbc Transfusion

Abstract Background Chronic transfusion support plays a key role in survival and quality of life for patients with hematological disorders. However, transfusion-related iron overload (TRIO) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients.Adequate iron overload (IO) screening and use of iron chelators, if necessary, is now standard practice in chronically transfused individuals such as hemoglobinopathy patients. Screening practices for IO for patients receiving multiple red blood cell (RBC) transfusions for other reasons (e.g. cancer) are unknown. Objective This two part study aimed to detect pediatric (Jaffer et al., 2012) and adult populations at risk for TRIO and to evaluate and compare current screening practices. Methods Children (≤ 18 years) and adults (> 18 years) receiving at least 1 RBC transfusion from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011 at a tertiary care academic institution were identified using a transfusion registry database. Only those receiving chronic RBC transfusions were included in the study. Chronic transfusion was defined as ≥20 units of RBC or ≥ 20 RBC transfusions dosed at 15ml/kg within 12 consecutive months where transfusions were not given in the setting of an operating room, trauma or surgical procedures, not given 7 days prior/post-surgical procedures and not all given in one day. An adjudicator resolved study inclusion ambiguity. The analysis excluded hemoglobinopathy patients. Medical records were reviewed to collect patient demographics, diagnosis, and to evaluate IO screening practices and frequency of iron chelation therapy. Results A total of 343 patients met the eligibility criteria: 27 pediatric and 316 adult patients, with mean ages of 8.1 years (SD 5.7) and 62 years (SD 12.6), respectively. Table 1 summarizes demographics, number of transfusions, and IO screening and results. Ferritin levels were checked for 12 (44%) pediatric and 227 (72%) adult patients: 2 (17%) pediatric and 30 (13%) adult patients had values<500 μg indicating no further TRIO screening was required. In the pediatric population, 81% had a cancer diagnosis, and just under a third were tested for ferritin, whereas 64% of the adults had cancer, with nearly two-thirds tested for ferritin. A statistically significant difference was observed in the percentage of pediatric and adult cancer patients screened for IO. Of those cancer patients screened, ferritin level > 500 occurred in 71% of pediatric and 85% of adult patients, with an iron chelator reported in 1 adult. Total RBC transfusions ranged from 20 to 44 with a median of 26.5 for pediatrics and 20 to 176 with a median of 31 for adults. Conclusion Despite high rates of RBC transfusion, screening for TRIO was inconsistent. Although information regarding reasons for not screening for TRIO or not treating with chelation therapy was not collected, the possibilities include a lack of awareness of the risk of TRIO and lack of access to ferriscan and/or to oral iron chelator in Canada for conditions other than hemoglobinopathy and a select subset of MDS cases. Considering TRIO presents an additional, yet unidentified, co-morbidity of cancer therapy and that the therapy (e.g. anthracyclines) may potentiate the end organ effect of TRIO, it is vital to develop strategies to evaluate cancer patients at risk for TRIO and ensure they have access to appropriate iron chelation therapy. Research is needed to explore the comorbidities associated with failure to treat TRIO and to identify barriers to treatment so cancer patients can receive optimal care. Disclosures: Leber: Novartis Canada: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Heddle:Canadian Blood Services and Health Canada: Research Funding.

scholarly journals A case of transfusion independence in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome using deferasirox, sustained for two years after stopping therapy

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 128 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Sanford ◽  
C.C. Hsia
Keyword(s):  
Myelodysplastic Syndrome ◽  
Iron Overload ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Transfusion Independence ◽  
Clinical Complications ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

Patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (mds) experience clinical complications related to progressive marrow failure and have an increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia. Frequent red blood cell transfusion can lead to clinical iron overload and is associated with decreased survival in mds patients. Iron chelation therapy reduces markers of iron overload and prevents end-organ damage.Here, we present the case of a patient with lowrisk mds with transfusional iron overload. He was treated for 2 years with an oral iron chelator, deferasirox, and after 12 months of treatment, he experienced a hemoglobin increase of more than 50 g/L, becoming transfusion-independent. He has remained transfusion-independent, with a normal hemoglobin level, for more than 2 years since stopping chelation therapy. Hematologic and erythroid responses have previously been reported in mds patients treated with iron chelation. The durability of our patient’sresponse suggests that iron chelation might alter the natural history of mds in some patients.

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