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.

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.

Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Iron Overload Consequences and Current Chelating Therapies

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter L. Greenberg
Keyword(s):  
Iron Overload ◽  
Myelodysplastic Syndromes ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Oxygen Free Radicals ◽  
Clinical Course ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Thalassemia Major ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Transfusion Independence

Chronic red blood cell transfusion support in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is often necessary but may cause hemosiderosis and its consequences. The pathophysiologic effects of iron overload relate to increased non-transferrin bound iron generating toxic oxygen free radicals. Studies in patients with MDS and thalassemia major have shown adverse clinical effects of chronic iron overload on cardiac function in patients who underwent polytransfusion. Iron chelation therapy in patients with thalassemia who were effectively chelated has prevented or partially reversed some of these consequences. A small group of patients with MDS who had undergone effective subcutaneous desferrioxamine (DFO) chelation for 1 to 4 years showed substantial hematologic improvements, including transfusion independence. However, because chronic lengthy subcutaneous infusions of DFO in elderly patients have logistic difficulties, this chelation therapy is generally instituted late in the clinical course. Two oral iron chelators, deferiprone (L1) and deferasirox (ICL670), provide potentially useful treatment for iron overload. This article reviews data indicating that both agents are relatively well tolerated, were at least as effective as DFO for decreasing iron burdens in comparative thalassemia trials, and (for deferiprone) were associated with improved cardiac outcomes. These outcomes could potentially alter the tissue siderosis-associated morbidity of patients with MDS, particularly those with pre-existing cardiac disease.

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.

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.

Effective and Safe Deferasirox Treatment of Patients with Various anemia's and Transfusional Iron-Overload in the Medical Practice: Results From Two German Observational Studies

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 5165-5165
Author(s):  
Christian Junghanss ◽  
Rudolf Schlag ◽  
Bernd Gaede ◽  
Matthias Moelle ◽  
Steffen Doerfel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Overload ◽  
Serum Ferritin ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Beta Thalassemia ◽  
Final Visit ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Abstract 5165 Background: Progressive anaemia is highly prevalent amongst many malignant diseases leading to RBC transfusion-dependency. Therefore transfusion-related iron overload (IOL) is common in these patients (pts) and can result in multiple organ failure. Iron chelation therapy prevents organ failure, reduces the risk of infections and can improve hematopoesis in some diseases. The once-daily oral iron chelator deferasirox has been shown to reduce iron overload in pts with various transfusion-dependent anaemias assessed by serum ferritin (SF). Despite extensive knowledge of iron chelation in MDS or beta-thalassemia pts, data in pts with other anaemias is limited. Here, we present data from a subgroup of transfusion-related IOL pts that were included two non-interventional studies (EXTEND, EXJANGE) performed in Germany and who suffered from diseases other than MDS or beta thalassemia. Methods: 130 pts with various malignant diseases such as myeloproliferative disorders (43 pts, including 31 pts particular specified as myelofibrosis), acute myeloid leukaemia (14 pts), sickle cell anaemia (6 pts), aplastic anaemia (11), congenital aplastic anaemia (5) or Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (6 pts) were treated with deferasirox in the daily-routine setting of office-based physicians and included in either the EXTEND or EXJANGE study. Patient with MDS or beta-thalassemia were also included in the studies, but are excluded from this analysis. Analysis is based on 1-year pooled data of these two, multicenter, non-interventional observational studies. Transfusion-dependent pts with IOL with or without prior chelation were enrolled and received the iron chelator deferasirox. Prescription of deferasirox, just as inclusion and exclusion criteria was in accordance with the terms of Exjade marketing authorization in the EU. Efficacy and safety parameters, including serum ferritin and adverse events (AEs), were collected in 2-monthly intervals. Results: 98 pts had no prior chelation therapy (51 M, 45 F, 2 missing; mean age 63.3, range 3.2–91.9 yrs) and a median baseline SF of 2,968 (range 561–11, 423) ng/mL. 32 pts had prior received prior chelation therapy (mainly with desferal; 17 M, 15 F; mean age 50.1, range 3.5–80.9 yrs) and a median baseline SF of 2,635 (range 539–19, 540) ng/mL. The mean number of prior red blood cell transfusions was 55. The mean prescribed daily dose of deferasirox at the first visit was 16.3 mg/kg/d rising up to 18.1 mg/kg/d after 12 months. During treatment, median SF levels clearly decreased from first to final visit [-806 ng/mL; p<0.0001 (explorative analysis)] in the chelation-naïve and also in the pre-chelated population [-300 ng/ml; p = 0.1705 (explorative analysis)]. The median observation period and days on therapy was 349 and 343 days, respectively. At final visit 74 pts (56.9%) were still on deferasirox therapy. Reasons for discontinuation by the final visit included 19 AEs (35.2%). 45 pts (34.6%) experienced an investigator assessed drug-related AE. The most common drug-related AEs were diarrhea (n=17; 37.8%), nausea (n=11; 24.4%) and blood creatinine increased (n=6; 13.3%). As in previous clinical trials, serum creatinine clearances showed a minor decrease over the study period (median decrease until final visit: 4 ml/min). Conclusion: Our analysis confirmed that deferasirox is effective and well tolerated in chelation-naïve as well as in previously chelated pts with transfusion-related IOL and diseases other than MDS or beta thalassemia. As baseline serum ferritin values were >2,500 ng/mL even in pts with prior chelation therapy, adequate chelation treatment should be considered earlier at a serum ferritin >1,000 ng/mL in pts with transfusion-dependent IOL for adequate iron chelation therapy. Disclosures: Junghanss: Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. Haus:Novartis Pharma: Employment. Junkes:Novartis: Employment. Leismann:Novartis: Employment.

scholarly journals Randomized Controlled Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Deferiprone: Subgroup Analysis of Pediatric Patients in Iron-Overloaded Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Other Anemias

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 762-762
Author(s):  
Mona Hamdy ◽  
Amal El-Beshlawy ◽  
Fatma Soliman Elsayed Ebeid ◽  
Janet L. Kwiatkowski ◽  
Julie Kanter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Overload ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Safety Population ◽  
Efficacy Population

Abstract Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) who have their disease managed with frequent blood transfusions often require iron chelation therapy to prevent iron overload. Deferoxamine (DFO) is an iron chelator approved for pediatric use that is often administered via infusion; however, postmarketing research revealed that adherence to treatment in pediatric populations is a key challenge experienced by patients and caregivers due to the burdensome nature of the administration route. Deferiprone (DFP), an oral iron chelator, has recently been approved as a first-line treatment for transfusional iron overload in pediatric and adult patients with SCD and other anemias. We previously reported that DFP is noninferior to DFO in patients with SCD and iron overload (as assessed by liver iron concentration [LIC]) and has an acceptable safety profile. Here, we report a subgroup analysis of the FIRST (NCT02041299) study to assess whether the efficacy and safety of DFP are comparable to DFO in children with SCD. In this phase 4, multicenter, 2-arm, randomized, open-label study, eligible patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive DFP or DFO for 12 months. The subgroup analysis included children (2-16 years of age) with SCD or another rare anemia who were treated for transfusional iron overload. Children received either DFP orally tid or DFO by subcutaneous infusion 5-7 days a week. Iron load was monitored during the trial and dosage adjustments were allowed when necessary. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change in LIC from baseline to month 12, and data were analyzed for all patients who had a baseline and a follow-up LIC assessment (efficacy population). Absolute neutrophil counts were assessed weekly for the first 6 months, and then every 2 weeks until the end of the study. Additional safety assessments were done monthly with analysis including all patients who received at least 1 dose of the study drug (safety population). Statistical significance between DFP- and DFO-treated groups was calculated via t-test for continuous variables and Fisher's exact test for discrete variables. Of the 228 patients in the safety population, 128 (n=86 in DFP; n=42 in DFO) were children. Five children withdrew from the study due to adverse events (AEs) and 19 withdrew for other reasons. Most children in each treatment group (DFP, 75.6 %; DFO, 80.9%) had a primary diagnosis of SCD (HbS); the remainder had another form of anemia that required chronic transfusions. At the time of first exposure, mean ages (SD) in the DFP- and DFO-treated groups were 9.9 (3.7) years and 10.9 (3.0) (P=0.09), respectively. There were no significant differences between the DFP- and DFO-treatment groups in sex (males 59.3% vs 57.1%; P=0.85), ethnicity (P=0.68), or race (P=0.34). Children treated with DFP or DFO showed no significant differences in overall incidence of AEs (P=0.77) (including neutropenias (P=0.30)), severe AEs (P=0.10), serious AEs (P=0.16), or withdrawals due to an AE (P=0.17). However, a difference in the overall incidence of nonserious AEs considered at least possibly related to DFP treatment (59.3% vs 33.3%; P=0.01) was found. Table 1 shows the most common (≥5%) AEs in children by treatment group. The only individual AE for which the rate was significantly higher in the DFP group vs the DFO group was elevated liver enzymes (P=0.03), a known transient reaction to DFP that typically resolves with continued DFP therapy. In DFP-treated children, there were no AEs observed that had not been previously reported in other patient populations; 1 child developed agranulocytosis; and children &lt;6 years of age treated with DFP demonstrated a comparable safety profile to that of older children (6-16 years of age) treated with DFP. In the efficacy population, after 12 months of treatment, there was no significant difference in the mean (SD) LIC change from baseline in children treated with DFP (n=78) compared to DFO (n=40) (-3.39 ± 4.24 mg/g vs -2.99 ± 3.16 mg/g, respectively; P=0.57). This subgroup analysis of children receiving chronic transfusion therapy for SCD or other anemias corroborates previous findings that treatment with DFP is comparable to DFO in reducing LIC. No new safety concerns were observed in children that have not been previously noted in other populations. Thus, the present findings may benefit children and their healthcare providers when considering effective iron chelation therapy that may also address treatment-adherence concerns. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Hamdy: Amgen: Honoraria; Bayer: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria; ApoPharma: Honoraria; NovoNordisk: Honoraria; Roche: Honoraria; Takeda: Honoraria. Kwiatkowski: Terumo BCT: Research Funding; Sangamo: Research Funding; Bluebird Bio: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; ApoPharma: Research Funding; Agios: Honoraria; Silence Therapeutics: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Imara: Other: Consultancy Fees; Bluebird Bio: Other: Consultancy Fees. Kanter: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Forma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Agios: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Beam: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Graphite Bio: Consultancy; GuidePoint Global: Honoraria; Fulcrum Tx: Consultancy. Lee: Chiesi Canada Corp: Current Employment. Temin: Chiesi Canada Corp: Current Employment. Fradette: Chiesi Canada Corp: Current Employment. Tricta: Chiesi Canada Corp: Current Employment.

Overview of Current Treatment Regimens in Iron Chelation Therapy

2009 ◽  
Vol 02 ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Aryeh Shander ◽  
Joseph D Sweeney ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Overload ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Physiological Mechanism ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Iron Toxicity ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy ◽  
Transfusion Therapy ◽  
Treatment Regimens

As humans have no physiological mechanism for the elimination of excess body iron, chronic red blood cell transfusion therapy, which is necessary for the treatment of a number of transfusion-dependent anemias, inevitably results in iron overload. Cumulative iron overload can lead to iron toxicity with organ dysfunction and damage, particularly affecting the liver and heart. Once iron overload has been identified in patients with transfusion-dependent anemias, it should be treated with chelation therapy to prevent and limit iron toxicity. Iron chelation with deferoxamine, deferiprone, and deferasirox has been demonstrated to reduce iron burden and the associated risk for morbidity and mortality from iron toxicity; however, there are important differences among these iron chelators.

Iron Chelation Therapy with Deferasirox (Exjade®, ICL670) or Deferoxamine Is Effective in Reducing Iron Overload in Patients with Advanced Fibrosis and Cirrhosis.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2696-2696 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Angelucci ◽  
B. Turlin ◽  
D. Canatan ◽  
A. Mangiagli ◽  
V. De Sanctis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Overload ◽  
Serum Ferritin ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Concentration ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Advanced Fibrosis ◽  
Liver Iron ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Tissue Iron

Abstract Introduction: Although the direct measurement of iron from a liver biopsy is the reference standard method to determine liver iron concentration (LIC), results are highly unreliable in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. As a result, chelation therapy is difficult to monitor in this patient population where effective chelation therapy may be critical. It is therefore important to assess parameters additional to LIC in order to accurately assess body iron in these patients. Aim: To analyze the efficacy of chelation with deferoxamine (DFO) and the investigational once-daily, oral iron chelator deferasirox (DSX) in patients with advanced fibrosis participating in DSX registration studies. Methods: A subgroup of patients from DSX Studies 0107 and 0108 were selected based on a staging result according to the Ischak scale of 5 (incomplete cirrhosis) or 6 (probable or definite cirrhosis), measured either at baseline or after 1 year of chelation therapy. The subgroup of patients with β-thalassemia participating in Study 0107 received DSX (n=26) or DFO (n=30). In Study 0108, the subgroup of patients with β-thalassemia unable to be treated with DFO (n=12) or patients with anemias other than β-thalassemia (n=7) were treated with DSX only. In both studies, patients received chelation therapy according to baseline LIC. Results: In Study 0107, treatment with DSX or DFO led to a decrease in semi-quantitative tissue iron score (TIS) and LIC, which were paralleled by changes in serum ferritin. TIS, LIC and serum ferritin in a subgroup of patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis treated with DSX and DFO (Study 0107) TIS LIC, mg Fe/g dw Serum ferritin, ng/mL DSX (n=26) DFO (n=30) DSX (n=26) DFO (n=30) DSX (n=26) DFO (n=30) *Median (min, max) Baseline* 35.5 (4,39) 34 (10,52) 25.5 (2.4,45.9) 19.5 (3.9,55.1) 4195 (321,12646) 4144 (653,15283) Change from baseline* −2 (−43,20) −2 (−25,16) −9.4 (−42.2,13.1) −3.1 (−24.5,12.4) −1269 (−7082,3609) −951 (−8259,1264 Similarly, in Study 0108, DSX treatment produced a decrease in all 3 parameters in patients with β-thalassemia or rare anemia. TIS, LIC and serum ferritin in a subgroup of β-thalassemia and rare anemia patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis (Study 0108) TIS LIC, mg Fe/g dw Serum ferritin, ng/mL β-thalassemia (n=12) Rare anemia (n=7) β-thalassemia (n=12) Rare anemia (n=7) -thalassemia β (n=12) Rare anemia (n=7) *Median (min, max) Baseline* 35 (4,48) 41 (32,49) 29.4 (3.8,37.4) 26.3 (15,51.3) 4813 (440,11698) 2385 (1553,9099) Change from baseline* 2 (−19,27) −3 (−20,1) −1.6 (−18,9.9) −10 (−13.9,8.8) −986 (−4453,2131) −1322 (−2609,1901) Conclusions: Chelation therapy with DSX or DFO is effective in reducing iron overload in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. The trends observed in TIS and LIC were closely mirrored by changes in serum ferritin, highlighting the validity of this method for monitoring chelation therapy in this population.

Consequent Iron Chelation Therapy in Patients with Low Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Leads to up-Regulation of .CXCL12, JAK2 and HSF2: Possible Link Between Iron Chelation and Improvement of Erythropoiesis.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 2787-2787
Author(s):  
Florian Nolte ◽  
Martin Neumann ◽  
Ouidad Benlasfer ◽  
Sandra Heesch ◽  
Eckhard Thiel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Iron Overload ◽  
Chelation Therapy ◽  
Iron Chelation ◽  
Iron Chelator ◽  
Janus Kinase ◽  
Refractory Anemia ◽  
Iron Chelation Therapy ◽  
Oral Iron Chelator

Abstract Abstract 2787 Poster Board II-763 Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and an increased risk of evolution to acute myeloid leukemia. The majority of MDS patients will depend on regular transfusions of packed red blood cells (PRBC) during their course of disease due to symptomatic anemia. Since recurrent transfusions of PRBC will result in iron overload with the risk of damage of organs such as heart, endocrine glands and the liver, consequent iron chelation therapy (IC) became an important element of supportive care in MDS patients. Recently, the availability of the oral iron chelator deferasirox provides a convenient management of iron overload in MDS. Since intensive IC has been shown to improve hematopoiesis in iron overloaded patients we performed gene expression profiling on patients with low or intermediate MDS prior and after IC, to elucidate wheter IC leads to alteration of genes involved in hematopiesis, in particular in erythropoiesis. Heparinized bone marrow samples were obtained after informed consent from 6 MDS patients (2 refractory anemia, 4 refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts) upon initial diagnosis of iron overload (prior IC) and after a period of 1 year of iron chelation (after IC) with the oral iron chelator deferasirox. CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor as well as CD71+ erythroid progenitor cells were isolated by high gradient magnetic cell separation (Miltenyi Biotech, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany). RNA was extracted from CD34+ cells and CD71+ cells using TRIzol reagent (Invitrogen, Life Technologies, Grand Island, NY) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Quality controlled RNA was hybridized according to the standard Affymetrix protocol to HG-U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays. Data analysis was performed using the Gene Spring Software version 4.0 (Silicon genetics, San Carlos, CA). Restrictions were set as follows: only genes that were ‘present' in at least 75% of samples were used for further analyses, genes were considered as ‘differentially expressed' when they showed at least 3 fold change between the different groups. Statistical significance was calculated by non-parametric t-test, with P < 0.05. In a first step we compared gene expression patterns of CD71+ cells in MDS patients prior and after IC. In total 106 probe sets representing unique genes, hypthetical proteins and open reading frames matched the restriction settings. In an intensive survey on these genes we identified several genes that have been associated with erythropoiesis including Stromal derived factor-1 (CXCL12), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and Heat shock transcription factor 2 (HSF2). To exclude that these changes in gene expression where due to the natural course of the disease in specific patients, we compared gene expression of CD71+ cells from patients after IC to an independent test set of CD71+ MDS samples (n=12). Interestingly, we still found an aberrant expression of these genes, indicating that the observed gene expression changes were related to the IC in these patients rather than to the natural course of diesease. However, we were not able to find an altered expression of these genes in CD34+ progenitor cells prior and after IC, suggesting that the effect on gene expression is restricted to CD71+ cells. Iron overload is an inevitable side effect of regular blood transfusions in MDS patients. Intensive IC has been shown to improve erythropoiesis in iron overloaded patients. We found, that IC results in upregulation of Stromal derived factor-1, Janus kinase 2 and Heat shock transcription factor 2 all of them known to regulate hematopoiesis. Moreover, HSF2 and JAK2 have been closely involved in regulation of erythropoiesis. JAK2 deficiency has been shown to result in abrogated erythropoiesis and therefore increase of JAK2 expression after iron chelation might link IC to improvement of erythropoiesis and subsequently decrease of transfusion requirement in some patients receiving IC. Disclosures: Hofmann: Novartis Oncology, Nürnberg, Germany: Research Funding.

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