https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6219-9711
Keywords:
During these last 30 years there have been many advances in the field of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies research. We now know more about how the globin genes are regulated and expressed during growth and development including how the mutations in the globin genes affect their expression. New method of hemoglobin analyses and molecular detection have been developed. We know more of the natural history of thalassemia with various pathophysiological changes. These have led to the development of new evaluation of iron overloads by magnetic resonance imaging and novel chelators that are very effective and easy to use. All of these lead to better quality of life of thalassemia patients worldwide. In the meantime, there is also progress in the prevention and control of thalassemia around the world.
Thalassemia is a big problem for a vast number of people in Asia. It afflicts millions of lives and families, causing addition sufferings and socioeconomic burdens. Thalassemia control consists of treatment and prevention. These should be done in an appropriate manner suitable for the culture and need of the people in each country. In the last 20 years, there has been a new awareness about the thalassemia problem in Asia with improvement in laboratory diagnosis, treatment and prevention programs. Many local, regional and international conferences on thalassemia have been conducted in Asia during the last 10 years. Regional networks for thalassemia control have been established and a training center for thalassemia has been set up at the Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China (PRC).
In this Special Issue of Hemoglobin, doctors from 14 countries including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Guangxi (PRC), India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam have reviewed the status of thalassemia in each country. Moreover, Dr. Suradej Hongeng (Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand), has also reviewed the status of stem cell transplantation in Asia. We hope that this review will lead to more collaboration and research on thalassemia in Asia.
These reviews are similar to the ones that the late Professor Titus H.J. Huisman (Sickle Cell Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA) initiated in 1981 (Special Feature articles that appeared in Hemoglobin during 1981 to 1992), encouraging reports about thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies from different countries of the world. We hope that this collection of data will bring the spirit to work together for the betterment of mankind. Collaboration between countries in Asia can be in the areas of strengthening manpower, technical cooperation, research and production of technologies necessary for thalassemia control that are affordable by all member countries.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.