Iron overload in thalassemia: different organs at different rates

AT Taher, AN Saliba - Hematology 2014, the American Society …, 2017 - ashpublications.org
Hematology 2014, the American Society of Hematology Education …, 2017ashpublications.org
Thalassemic disorders lie on a phenotypic spectrum of clinical severity that depends on the
severity of the globin gene mutation and coinheritance of other genetic determinants. Iron
overload is associated with increased morbidity in both patients with transfusion-dependent
thalassemia (TDT) and non–transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). The predominant
mechanisms driving the process of iron loading include increased iron burden secondary to
transfusion therapy in TDT and enhanced intestinal absorption secondary to ineffective …
Abstract
Thalassemic disorders lie on a phenotypic spectrum of clinical severity that depends on the severity of the globin gene mutation and coinheritance of other genetic determinants. Iron overload is associated with increased morbidity in both patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) and non–transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). The predominant mechanisms driving the process of iron loading include increased iron burden secondary to transfusion therapy in TDT and enhanced intestinal absorption secondary to ineffective erythropoiesis and hepcidin suppression in NTDT. Different organs are affected differently by iron overload in TDT and NTDT owing to the underlying iron loading mechanism and rate of iron accumulation. Serum ferritin measurement and noninvasive imaging techniques are available to diagnose iron overload, quantify its extent in different organs, and monitor clinical response to therapy. This chapter discusses the general approach to iron chelation therapy based on organ involvement using the available iron chelators: deferoxamine, deferiprone, and deferasirox. Other novel experimental options for treatment and prevention of complications associated with iron overload in thalassemia are briefly discussed.
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