scholarly journals LONGITUDINAL STUDY ON LIVER FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH THALASSEMIA MAJOR BEFORE AND AFTER DEFERASIROX (DFX) THERAPY

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e2014025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashraf Tawfik Soliman ◽  
Mohamed Yassin ◽  
Fawzia AlYafei ◽  
Lolwa Al-Naimi ◽  
Noora Almarri ◽  
...  

With regular blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy, most patients with thalassemia major (BTM) now survive beyond the third decade of life . Liver disease is becoming an important cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Chronic hepatitis and/or severe iron overload are important causes of liver pathology. Iron chelation with desferrioxamine (Desferal)  reduces excessive body iron, but its efficacy is limited by poor compliance and dose related toxicity. The recent use of Deferasirox (Exjade- DFX ), an  oral single dose therapy has improved the compliance to chelation therapy.Aims: To study the long-term liver functions in BMT patients, seronegative for liver infections before versus after DFX therapy in relation to ferritin level and IGF-I level.Methods: Liver function tests including: serum bilirubin, alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST) , albumin, insulin-like growth factor – I (IGF-I) and serum ferritin concentrations were followed every 6 months in 40 patients with BTM, with hepatitis negative screening (checked every year), for at  least   five years of DFO therapy and 4-5 years of DFX therapy .Results: DFX  therapy (20 mg/kg/day)  significantly decreased serum ferritin level in patients with BTM, this was associated with significant decrease in serum ALT, AST, ALP and increase in IGF-I concentrations. Albumin concentrations did not change after DFX treatment. ALT and AST levels were correlated significantly with serum  ferritin concentrations ( r = 0.45 and 0.33 respectively , p < 0.05) . IGF-I concentrations were correlated significantly with serum ALT (r= 0.26, p = 0.05) but not with AST, ALP, bilirubin or albumin levels.The negative correlation between serum ferritin concentrations and ALT suggests that impairment of hepatic function negatively affects IGF-I synthesis in these patients due to iron toxicity, even in the absence of hepatitis.Conclusions: Some impairment of liver function can occur in hepatitis negative BMT patients with iron overload. The use of DFX was associated with mild but significant reduction of ALT, AST and ALP and increase in IGF-I levels. The negative correlation between IGF-I and ALT concentrations suggest that preventing hepatic dysfunction may improve the growth potential in these patients.

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4905-4905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed A Yassin ◽  
Abdulqadir Nashwan ◽  
Nancy Kassem ◽  
Ashraf Tawfiq Soliman ◽  
Vincenzo De Sanctis ◽  
...  

Abstract Thalassemia major (TM) requires chronic blood transfusions ultimately cause iron overload and subsequently end-organ damage unless corrected. Iron chelation has been proven to decrease organ dysfunction and improve survival in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. However, taking iron chelation therapy every day has sometimes been a challenge in patients. Deferasirox is a once-daily, oral iron chelator that developed out of a need for a long-acting chelator. The approved mode of administration requires taking deferasirox on an empty stomach with water, apple juice, or orange juice to limit variation in bioavailability. This required administration schedule might not be palatable for patients. Additionally, approximately one-quarter of patients experience mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms, which may pose additional challenges. Jadenu is a new oral formulation of Exjade tablets for oral suspension. While Exjade is a dispersible tablet that must be mixed in liquid and taken on an empty stomach ,Jadnu can be taken in a single step, with or without a light meal, simplifying administration of treatment and allows greater convenience and may be associated with fewer gastrointestinal side effects versus the original formulation. This may significantly improve compliance. In addition, the new formulation may be associated increased bioavailability. Jadenu is 36% more bioavailable than the original formulation, Exjade®. Therefore, to convert from Exjade to Jadenu the dose of Jadenu should be about 30% lower, rounded to the nearest whole tablet. To date, the new formulation of deferasirox has only been evaluated in pharmacokinetic studies in healthy volunteers. No clinical data are available yet in patients taking this formulation. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of Jadenu substituting Exjade on serum Ferritin concentration, liver iron content and biochemical profile in (BTM) patients with iron overload. Patients and Methods: Twelve adult patients with BTM were studied. All patients were on regular packed cell transfusion therapy monthly to keep their Hb not less than 9 g/dl before transfusion. They were on Exjade therapy (30 mg/kg per day) for 5 years or more before changing them to Jadenu therapy (14-28mg/kg/day). We evaluated Serum ferritin and the liver iron (LIC) measured by the Ferriscan method. Investigations included measuring hepatic functions (alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and albumin) , creatinine and fasting blood glucose (FBG) every clinic visit (q 3 months). In addition thyroid function (free T4 (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH), 25 OH vitamin D and PTH levels were measured before and one year after starting Jadenu therapy. Patients were monitored for gastrointestinal and other reported side-effects related to the drugs. All patients were on vitamin D 800 U/day and folic acid 5 mg / day. Paired t student test was used to compare lab results before versus after Jadenu treatment. Linear regression equation was used to investigate possible relation between variables. Results A year after treating patients with Jadenu serum ALT decreased (non-significant) but there was no significant change in circulating concentrations of creatinine, albumin, ALP or FBG. (Table 1) Apart from some gastrointestinal complaints reported in 3 patients that did not require discontinuation of therapy, patients did not have any other side effects. There was a non-significant decrease in LIC and ferritin levels after 1 year of using Jadenu. Thyroid and parathyroid hormone did not change during Jadenu therapy. (Table 2) A positive significant correlation was found between serum ferritin level and LIC measured by ferriscan method. LIC and serum ferritin level were correlated significantly with ALT level ( r = 0.31 and 0.45 respectively, p < 0.05) . No significant correlation was detected between LIC and other biochemical or hormonal levels. This study showed that the use of Jadenu after Exjade was associated with non-significant decrease in liver iron and ALT. There was no change in FBG, creatinine albumin or thyroid function. No side effects required discontinuation of the medicine. Conclusion: Jadenu is more palatable and improve quality of life for patients with BTM, however it was associated with minimal decrease in LIC and ALT level suggesting marginal improvement of iron chelation probably due to easier administration. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. e2018062 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo De Sanctis

Abstract. Introduction: Chronic blood transfusion is the mainstay of care for individuals with β-thalassemia major (BTM). However, it causes iron-overload that requires monitoring and management by long-term iron chelation therapy in order to prevent endocrinopathies and cardiomyopathies, that can be fatal. Hepatic R2 MRI method (FerriScan®) has been validated as the gold standard for evaluation and monitoring liver iron concentration (LIC) that reflects the total body iron-overload. Although adequate oral iron chelation therapy (OIC) is promising for the treatment of transfusional iron-overload, some patients are less compliant with it and others suffer from long-term effects of iron overload. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of endocrinopathies and liver dysfunction, in relation to LIC and serum ferritin level, in a selected group of adolescents and young adult BTM patients with severe hepatic iron overload (LIC from 15 to 43 mg Fe/g dry weight). Patients and Methods: Twenty-four selected BTM patients with severe LIC, due to transfusion-related iron-overload, followed at the Hematology Section, National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation of Doha (Qatar), from April 2015 to July 2017, were retrospectively evaluated. The prevalence of short stature, hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), diabetes, and adrenal insufficiency was defined and assessed according to the International Network of Clinicians for Endocrinopathies in Thalassemia (ICET) and American Diabetes Association criteria. Results: Patients have been transfused over the past 19.75 ± 8.05 years (ranging from 7 to 33 years). The most common transfusion frequency was every 3 weeks (70.8%).  At the time of LIC measurements, the mean age of patients was 21.75 ± 8.05 years, mean LIC was 32.05 ± 10.53 mg Fe/g dry weight (range: 15 to 43 mg Fe/g dry weight). Their mean serum ferritin level was 4,488.6 ± 2,779 µg/L. The overall prevalence of growth failure was 26.1% (6/23), IFG was 16.7% (4/24), sub-clinical hypothyroidism was 14.3% (3/21), hypogonadism was 14.3% (2/14), diabetes mellitus was 12.5% (3/24), and biochemical adrenal insufficiency was 6.7% (1/15). The prevalence of hepatitis C positivity was 20.8% (5/24). No case of clinical hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency or hypoparathyroidism was detected in this cohort of patients. The prevalence of IFG impaired fasting glucose was significantly higher in BTM patients with very high LIC (>30 mg Fe/g dry liver) versus those with lower LIC (p = 0.044). LIC was correlated significantly with serum ferritin levels (r = 0.512; p = 0.011), lactate dehydrogenase (r = 0.744; p = 0.022) and total bilirubin (r = 0.432; p = 0.035). Conclusions: A significant number of BTM patients, with high LIC and endocrine disorders, still exist despite the recent developments of new oral iron chelating agents. Therefore, physicians’ strategies shall optimize early identification of those patients in order to optimise their chelation therapy and to avoid iron-induced organ damage. We believe that further studies are needed to evaluate if serial measurements of quantitative LIC may predict the risk for endocrine complications. Until these data are available, we recommend a close monitoring of endocrine and other complications, according to the international guidelines.  


2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Arum Gunarsih ◽  
Pustika Amalia ◽  
Imam Boediman

BackgmundThalassemia is the most cormnon hereditary haemolyticanaemia in the world, including in Indonesia. The main treatmentfor thalassemia is regular transfusions, but these are knO\vn to causeiron overload. Moreover, iron overload in jJ􀁮thalassemia patientsgenerates oxygen free radicals and peroxidative lipid injury. Ferritinserum concentration is used as indirect measurement of iron overload.Malondialdehyde (MDA), a terminal compound oflipid peroxidation,is used as an index of oxidative stress status.Objective To assess the correlation between iron overload (serumferritin level) and MDA as a marker of oxidative stress in thalassemiamajor patients.Methods This c ross􀁮sectional study was conducted at CiptoMangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, from May􀁮June 2009. Subjectswere thalassemia major patients (homozygous jJ􀁮thalassemia orjJ􀁮thalassemia;HbE) who received regular blood transfusions, iron􀁮chelation, and vitamin E as an antioxidant. Data was collected by his􀁮tory􀁮taking, physical examination, medical records, and questionnaires.Blocd specimens were dra\Vll from the thalassemia major subjects beforetransfusion and examined for serum ferritin and MDA levels.Results Fifty􀁮five subjects Mth thalassemia major (34 homozygousjJ􀁮thalassemia and 21 jJ􀁮thalassemia;HbE) were included in ourstudy. Mean serum ferritin level was 3693.2 (SD 21423),ug/L andme811 MDA level was 0.641 (SD 0.283) nmolimL. No cor relationwas found between serum ferritin and MDA levels in thalassemiamajor subjects (r=0.147, P=0.285). As additional results, this studyalso showed no correlation between MDA to reguler vitamin Econsumption (r=0.277, P=0.028) as well as MDA and nutritionalstatus (F0371, P􀁯0.()J4).Conclusion There was no cor relation between serum ferritin leveland plasma MDA level in thalassemia major subjects, no cor relationsbetween MDA and regular vitamin E consumption, as well as MDAand nutritional status. [paediatr Indones. 2012;52:125,31].


2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syarif Rohimi ◽  
Najib Advani ◽  
Sudigdo Sastroasmoro ◽  
Bambang Mardiyono ◽  
Sukman Tulus Putra ◽  
...  

Background Thalassemia is a major public health problem inIndonesia. Cardiac diseases remain as the main cause of death inthese patients due to iron overload. Although the T2* magneticresonance imaging has been considered as the gold standard forassessing cardiac iron overload but it has limited availability.The tissue doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography, a fairly newand easy method that is suggested, can detect early abnormalmyocardial iron overload.Objective To assess myocardial systolic and diastolic functionof thalassemic patients using TDI and examine their correlationwith serum ferritin level.Methods A cross􀁌sectional study was conducted from January toMarch 2011 at the Harapan Kita Women and Children Hospital.We performed clinical examination, serum ferritin level, as wellas conventional and tissue doppler echocardiography on allsubjects.Results We included 34 regularly􀁌tranfused patients, of which17 were boys. The mean age of the subjects was 11.6 (SD 4.7years, range 2.6 􀁌 20 years). Mean pulse rate and blood pressurewere within normal range. Hemoglobin level at inclusion rangedfrom 5.8 to 6 g/dL. Almost all patients did not receive regularchelation therapy. Median serum ferritin level was 6275 ng/mL(range 2151 - 17,646 ng/mL). Conventional echocardiographyshowed normal systolic function, but some diastolic dysfunctionswere found including E wave abnormalites in 4 patients, A waveabnormalites in 3, and E/A ratio abnormalites found in 3. TheTDI showed decreased systolic function (Sa wave abnormality) in9 patients and diastolic dysfunctions (Ea wave abnormality in 11patients and Aa wave abnormaly in 2). No abnormality was foundin Ea/Aa and ElEa ratios. There was a weak negative correlationbetween ferritin level and Sa wave and Ea wave respectively anda moderately negative correlation between ferritin level and Ea/Aa ratio. There was no correlation between serum ferritin andAa wave or ElEa ratio.Conclusion TDI identifies a greater number of patients Mthsystolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction than was revealedby conventional echocardiography. There was a weak negativecorrelation between serum ferritin to Sa wave and Ea wave, and amoderately negative correlation between ferritin and Ea/Aa ratio.There was no correlation between serum ferritin and Aa wave orElEa ratio. [paediatr Indones. 2012;52:187,93].


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3424-3424
Author(s):  
Yoo-Hong Min ◽  
Sung-Soo Yoon ◽  
Hyeoung Joon Kim ◽  
Kyoo-Hyung Lee ◽  
Jae Hoon Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3424 Patients with aplastic anemia (AA) are suffered from various complications related to bone marrow failure and peripheral cytopenia. Although immunosuppressive therapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been performed for curative purpose, the majority of patients have been treated only by supportive cares including repeated transfusion. However, because continued transfusion eventually induces iron overload in many tissues and organs, transfusional iron overload and its consequences are another life-threatening problems for AA patients. Previous reports about iron chelation therapy (ICT) have mainly shown its efficiency for decreasing tissue iron and safety. However, improvement in hematopoiesis after iron chelation therapy has been limitedly reported as case reports or trials involving small number of patients without objective tools for measuring tissue iron content. In the KAMS0112 study (a multi-center, open label, prospective study evaluating the efficacy of ICT with deferasirox in transfusional iron overload with myelodysplastic syndrome or AA using quantitative R2-MRI, Ferriscan), a total of 54 patients with AA showing serum ferritin level over 1,000 ng/ml were enrolled from 19 institutes, and further analyzed for the changes in hemogram during ICT as well as efficacy and safely of deferasirox. During the study, the specific treatments for AA, such as immunosuppressive therapy or hematopoietic stem cells transplantation, were not undertaken. During 1 year prior to study, patients received 23.7±16.9 units of red blood cell (RBC) product, and the baseline serum ferritin level and liver iron content (LIC) were 4,164±447 ng/ml and 20.1±12.0 mg Fe/g DW, respectively. Deferasirox was given orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for at least 6 months to all patients. If the serum ferritin level falls below 500 ng/ml, treatment was withheld. In spite of continued transfusional support during the study, serum ferritin level and LIC were significantly decreased after 1 year of ICT with deferasirox (Ds-ferritin=−3,076.7±489.9 ng/ml, p=0.0003; DLIC=−7.73 mg/Fe/g DW, p=0.001). To evaluate the improvement of each parameter in hemogram by ICT, patients with baseline hemoglobin level less than 8.0 g/dl (n=28), with baseline WBC count less than 4/ml (n=43), and with baseline platelet count less than 20/ml (n=31) were selected separately. At the end of study, hemoglobin level and platelet count (8.2±3.0 g/dl and 22.2±31.4/ml, respectively) was significantly increased from the baseline value (6.1±1.1 g/dl, p=0.001; 12.5±12.4/ml, p=0.05, respectively). WBC count was also slightly increased (from 2.1±0.9/ml to 2.3±0.9/ml, p=0.457). Considering the relatively uniform criteria of transfusion, the finding that hemoglobin level and platelet count could increase above 8 g/dl and 20/ml, respectively, after 1 year of deferasirox treatment is clinically significantly. Due to gradual improvement of anemia, requirement of RBC transfusion had continuously decreased during the study period (R2=0.31). This subanalysis of KAMS0112 study demonstrates that ICT using deferasirox can be effective in improving anemia and thrombocytopenia in the transfusional iron overload patients with AA, as well as reducing serum ferritin level and LIC. Further studies might be required to elucidate the mechanism involved in the improvement of hematopoiesis associated with correction of deranged intracellular iron homeostasis. Disclosures: Min: Novartis: Research Funding. Yoon:Novartis: Research Funding. Kim:Novartis: Research Funding. Lee:Novartis: Research Funding. Lee:Novartis: Research Funding. Won:Novartis: Research Funding. Shim:Novartis: Research Funding. Kim:Novartis: Research Funding. Seung:Novartis: Research Funding. Kim:Novartis: Research Funding. Lee:Novartis: Research Funding. Chung:Novartis: Research Funding. Hyun:Novartis: Research Funding. Jo:Novartis: Research Funding. Jung:Novartis: Research Funding. Sohn:Novartis: Research Funding. Yoon:Novartis: Research Funding. Kim:Novartis: Research Funding. Joo:Novartis: Research Funding. Cheong:Novartis: Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 180-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricette Michallet ◽  
Mohamad Sobh ◽  
Stephane Morisset ◽  
Helene Labussiere ◽  
Marie Y. Detrait ◽  
...  

Abstract Iron overload (IO), primarily related to multiple red blood cell transfusions, is a relatively common complication in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) recipients. Elevated pre-transplant ferritin level, a surrogate marker of iron overload, was demonstrated to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity in patients who have undergone allo-HSCT. Excessive iron accumulation results in tissue damage and organ failure, mainly as a result of the generation of free radicals that cause oxidative damage and organ dysfunction. Iron chelators have been widely used leading to normalisation for ferritine level and lower IO-related complications. As iron has a fundamental role in cell survival affecting pathways involved in DNA synthesis, cell differentiation, and apoptosis, some studies evaluated the anti-proliferative activity of iron chelators in cancer and leukemia patients on disease recurrence. The objective of this study was to determine at a first time the impact of serum ferritin level measured at time of allogeneic HSCT in adult patients with hematological disorders on the different outcomes and to investigate at a second time the role of iron chelation on relapse incidence. We included 158 patients, 100 males and 58 females with a median age of 45 years (18-67) who underwent allo-HSCT between 2002 and 2010. There were 83 acute myeloid leukemias, 10 chronic myeloid leukemias, 11 myelodysplastic syndromes, 7 myeloproliferative disorders, 19 myelomas, 9 non-Hodgkin lymphomas, 6 Hodgkin diseases, 5 aplastic anemias and 3 hemoglobinopathies. Sixty-seven (42%) patients were sex mismatched (F→M:37; M→F:30); for ABO compatibility, 61% were compatible, 18% had minor incompatibility and 21% had major incompatibility. Concerning the HSCT procedures, 60 patients (38%) received peripheral blood stem cell and 98 (62%) received bone marrow from 97 (61%) HLA related donors [matched, n=76; mismatched, n=21], and 61 (39%) HLA unrelated donors [matched, n=36; mismatched, n=25] after myeloablative [n=64, (41%)] or reduced intensity conditioning [n=94, (59%)]. At transplantation, 91 (58%) were in complete remission (CR) or chronic phase [CR1: n=61 (67%); ≥CR2: n=30 (33%)]. The median serum ferritin level at HSCT was 1327 microg./l (26-14136); 31(20%) patients had a level 26-500, 33 (21%) had a level 500-2500, and 94 (59%) >2500. There was no significant correlation between the different ferritin levels, disease kind and status at HSCT. After transplantation, 23 patients received iron chelating agents after a serum ferritin level of 1000 microg/l and stopped when the level decreased below 1000. The cumulative incidence of acute GVHD ≥ II at 3 months was 14% (11-16.5) with 10.5% (8-13) for grade III and 7% (5-9) for grade IV; the 1 year cumulative incidence of limited and extensive chronic GVHD were 4% (2-6) and 12.4% (9-16) respectively. After a median follow-up of 18 months (1-106), the 5 years OS probability was 65% for patients with ferritin level below 500 microg./l, 39% for level between 500 and 2500 microg./l and 28% for level > 2500 micog./l, [Hazard ratio= 3.5 (1.5-8.1), p=0.002]; this was explained by a significant higher TRM in patients with level >2500 [Hazard ratio= 4.3 (1.02-18), p=0.04]. Interestingly, we found in multivariate analysis that patients receiving iron chelators had significantly better OS [5 years OS= 59% vs. 34% for non-chelated patients, Hazard ratio= 0.34 (0.15-0.76), p=0.008], (Figure 1a), and experienced less disease relapse [5 years relapse incidence= 18% vs. 41% for non-chelated patients, Hazard ratio= 0.22 (0.07-0.73), p=0.012], (Figure 1b). In conclusion, we confirmed the negative impact of iron overload on the outcomes allo-HSCT recipients. More importantly, we demonstrated that iron chelators have a positive impact in reducing disease relapse by the possible mechanism of iron deprivation in leukemic cells. This clinical observation needs to be confirmed by prospective randomized trials.Figure 1a: Overall survival probability and b: relapse incidence in patients with or without iron chelationFigure 1. a: Overall survival probability and b: relapse incidence in patients with or without iron chelation Disclosures: Michallet: Novartis: Honoraria, Research Funding. Nicolini:Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.


Author(s):  
Alaa Mutter Jabur Al-Shibany ◽  
AalanHadi AL-Zamili

Patients with transfusion dependent thalassemia major is often associated with iron overload. Proper use of iron chelators to treat iron overload requires an accurate measurement of iron levels. Magnetic resonance T2-star (T2* MRI) is the preferred method to measure iron level in the liver andthe heart. The goal of our study was to see if there is an association exists between serum ferritin level and T2* MRI results in patients with beta thalassemia major.This study was done in Al-Diwaniya Thalassemia center,Maternity and children teaching hospital,Iraq. During the period from 1st of January to 31st of October. Fifty eight patients with a diagnosis of beta thalassemia major were enrolled in the study. They were older than five years old,transfusion dependent and on chelation therapy. Hepatic and Myocardial T2*MRI and the mean serum ferritin levels were measured during the study period for all patients.There is a significant correlation was observed between serum ferritin level and cardiac T2*MRI (p=0.018 ). also a significant correlation was observed between serum ferritin and hepatic T2*MRI (p=0.02). Neither cardiac T2* MRI nor hepatic T2* MRI show any correlation with the mean age.our study also showa positive correlation between the patients withcardiac T2* MRI and the development of diabetes mellitus in contrast to hepatic T2* MRI in which there is no any correlation. Hypothyroidism was observedno correlation with either cardiac or hepatic T2* MRI.Our results showed a positiveassociation between hepatic, cardiac T2*MRI and serum ferritin levels.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0238793
Author(s):  
Fouzia N. Aboobacker ◽  
Gaurav Dixit ◽  
Kavitha M. Lakshmi ◽  
Anu Korula ◽  
Aby Abraham ◽  
...  

There is limited data on iron reduction therapy (IRT) after successful allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) for patients with thalassemia major (TM). We present the long term outcome of IRT in 149 patients with TM who underwent aHSCT during January, 2001-December, 2012. The median age was 7 years (range:1–18) and 92 (61.7%) belonged to Pesaro class 3 with a median ferritin at aHSCT of 2480ng/ml (range:866–8921). IRT was reinitiated post-aHSCT at a median of 14 months (range:5–53) post aHSCT with phlebotomy alone in 10 (6.7%) patients or iron chelation alone in 60 (40.3%) patients while 79 (53%) were treated with the combination. Reduction in serum ferritin/month [absolute quantity (ng/ml/month) was as follows: 87 (range:33–195), 130 (range:17–1012) and 147 (range:27.7–1427) in the phlebotomy, chelation and combination therapy groups, respectively (p = 0.038). With a median follow up of 80 months (range:37–182), target ferritin level of <300ng/ml was achieved in 59(40%) while a level <500ng/ml was achieved in 88 patients (59%) in a median duration of 41 months of IRT (range: 3–136). Patients in class III risk category and higher starting serum ferritin levels (>2500ng/ml) were associated with delayed responses to IRT. Our data shows that IRT may be needed for very long periods in ex-thalassaemics to achieve target ferritin levels and should therefore be carefully planned and initiated as soon as possible after aHSCT. A combination of phlebotomy and iron chelators is more effective in reducing iron overload.


Author(s):  
Noha Sayed Hamed

Objective: This work aims to determine the effect of iron overload on serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in females subjected to transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia by measuring serum ferritin and to investigate the effects of iron chelation therapy including oral deferiprone and subcutaneous deferoxamine in the management of transfusion-related iron overload together with reproductive function.Methods: 90 female patients with thalassemia major (TM), thalassemia intermedia (TI) and thalassemia minor (T minor) were selected to investigate AMH by ELISA and ferritin by IRMA.Results: Serum AMH level was lower in female patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassemia than in T minor also, Ferritin was 25 fold more in TM compared to T minor (3088.0±2497.6 ng/ml vs. 120.3±36.2 ng/ml). There was significant negative correlation of AMH with ferritin in TM (r =-0.949; P<0.001*), in TI (r =-0.378; P =0.039*) and in T minor (r =-0.754; P<0.001*). The iron chelator, deferoxamine had significantly higher ferritin and lower AMH in TM and TI than deferiprone.Conclusion: the results demonstrated that females with TM and TI were found to have lower serum AMH levels than T minor and inversely related to the serum ferritin levels in all thalassemic groups. Also, it demonstrated that deferiprone was more efficient than deferoxamine in removing excess iron and reduced the deleterious effect of excess iron to the reproductive system, which leads to fertility preservation of female patients with transfusion–dependent β-thalassemia.Keywords: Anti-müllerian hormone, Ferritin, Iron overload, β-thalassemia, Deferoxamine, Deferiprone.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3649-3649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoo-Hong Min ◽  
Hyeoung Joon Kim ◽  
Kyoo Hyung Lee ◽  
Sung-Soo Yoon ◽  
Jae Hoon Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Transfusion-related iron overload and its consequences are emerging challenges in chronically transfused patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or aplastic anemia (AA). Measurement of liver iron concentration (LIC) is used as a surrogate for total iron burden to guide chelation therapy in transfusion-dependent patients. Although deferasirox (Exjade®, ICL670) is an oral iron chelation agent that is now widely available for the treatment of transfusional hemosiderosis, the clinical data on its specific benefits of iron chelation, including reduction of LIC, in transfusion-related iron overload patients with MDS or AA has been limited. We have prospectively investigated the efficacy of deferasirox for iron chelation by serial measurement of serum ferritin level and LIC, which is measured in vivo using quantitative tissue proton transverse relaxation rates (R2) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in transfusional iron overload patients with MDS or AA. Here we report the interim analysis data. A total of 79 patients with de novo MDS (n = 29) or idiopathic AA (n = 50) showing serum ferritin level over 1,000ng/ml were enrolled from 23 institutes. All patients were regularly transfused and received a median of 30 red blood cells (RBC) units in the year prior to the start of the study. Among MDS cases, 3 (10.3%), 20 (69.0%), and 4 cases (13.8%) were categorized as IPSS low-risk, intermediate-1-risk, and intermediate-2-risk group, respectively. In AA cases, 34 (64%) were severe form. Mean value of serum ferritin level in enrolled patients was 4,417 ± 3,378 (4,788 ± 3,996 in MDS, 4,185 ± 2,962 in AA) ng/ml at the time of deferasirox initiation. LIC value was measured using quantitative R2 MRI and FerriScan (Resonance Health, Australia) analysis. Mean value of LIC was 23.9 ± 13.8 (26.1 ± 15.0 in MDS, 22.8 ± 13.2 in AA) mg Fe/g dry weight. Linear regression analysis indicated a close correlation between serum ferritin level and LIC (r=0.55, p<0.001). Deferasirox was given orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for at least 6 months to all patients. If the serum ferritin falls below 500 ng/ml, treatment was withheld. A consistent decrease in the serum ferritin level was demonstrated during the first 6 months in vast majority of patients despite of continued transfusion (209.7 ± 159.9 ng/ml and 324.0 ± 289.4 ng/ml per month in MDS and AA, respectively). Over the study period, patients with MDS or AA received a mean of 3.7 and 2.7 units RBC per month, respectively. After 6 months of medication, a slower decrease in the serum ferritin level was observed in MDS patients. In 30 cases, one-year medication of deferasirox was completed. At the end of study (EOS), the serum ferritin levels were significantly decreased to 3,085 ± 2,150 ng/ml (64.4% of baseline level) and 2,913 ± 2,232 ng/ml (69.6% of baseline level, p<0.01) in MDS and AA, respectively. One-year follow-up R2 MRI could be evaluated in 24 cases, and LIC was significantly decreased to the level of 19.3 ± 13.6 mg Fe/g dry weight (67.4% of baseline value, p=0.01). Decrease in the level of LIC at EOS in MDS (64.3% of baseline) was comparable to that in AA cases (68.5% of baseline). The most common drug-related adverse events (AE) were gastrointestinal disturbances, non-progressive increase in serum creatinine, and skin rash. However, AE were transient and mild-to-moderate in severity. Deferasirox was discontinued in 28 (35.4%) cases because of death (7 in MDS and 6 in AA), patient refusal (11 cases), and decrease in the serum ferritin level below 500ng/ml (4 cases). All death was ascribed to disease-related causes including cytopenia in nine (11.4%) and disease progression in one (1.3%). This study clearly shows that deferasirox is effective in reducing LIC and serum ferritin level in transfusional iron overload patients with MDS or AA, even with ongoing transfusion requirement, and well tolerated. Careful assessment of patient’s transfusion requirement will be important in making dose adjustment according to purpose of iron chelation. Data from extension phase of this clinical trial may expand our knowledge about the beneficial effects of deferasirox on prolonging survival and improving quality of life in these patients.


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