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Hemoglobin
international journal for hemoglobin research
Volume 39, 2015 - Issue 5
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Original Article

Efficacy of Deferasirox (Exjade®) in Modulation of Iron Overload in Patients with β-Thalassemia Intermedia

, , , , , & show all
Pages 327-329 | Received 20 Oct 2014, Accepted 08 Feb 2015, Published online: 26 Jun 2015
 

Abstract

Because of insufficient erythropoiesis, peripheral hemolysis and increased gastrointestinal iron absorption, iron overload is still a matter of debate in β-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI) patients, which can be overcome using iron chelators. However, data on use of iron chelators in β-TI patients is highly restricted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral administration of deferasirox (Exjade® or DFX) by assessment of serum ferritin levels in β-TI patients. In this quasi-experimental study, 50 β-TI patients with serum ferritin levels >1000 ng/mL were selected and received oral DFX for 12 consecutive months. Iron overload was measured by checking serum ferritin levels every 2 months and the results were compared with the baseline level. The mean serum ferritin was decreased during 1 year of chelation therapy without any toxic effect. Although the difference between baseline ferritin and ferritin levels at the end of second month was not remarkable (p = 0.88), a significant reduction in serum ferritin was observed after 4 (p = 0.01), 6 (p = 0.001), 8 (p < 0.001), 10 (p < 0.001) and 12 months (p < 0.001) of chelation therapy compared to its baseline levels. There was no correlation between baseline ferritin levels and age (p = 0.574). In addition, no statistically significant difference was observed about change in serum ferritin levels after 6 and also 12 months of therapy between patients who had undergone splenectomy and those who did not (p = 0.796 and 0.859, respectively). Iron chelation therapy with DFX is safe and effective in reducing serum ferritin levels in β-TI patients who suffer from side effects of iron overload.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our special thanks to Sh. Parand (Haematology Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran) for editing the English language of the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

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