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Effect of deferasirox chelation on liver iron and total body iron concentration

Javed Ahmed1, Noor Ahmad, Bhavin Jankharia

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai, India.

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|May 30, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Deferasirox (DFX) therapy effectively reduces total body iron in Indian thalassemia patients, as indicated by lower serum ferritin levels. However, it did not significantly decrease liver iron concentration after 18 months. DFX was well-tolerated.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Pharmacology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Iron overload is a common complication in patients with thalassemia, necessitating effective chelation therapy.
  • Monitoring liver iron concentration (LIC) is crucial for managing iron overload and preventing organ damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of Deferasirox (DFX) in reducing total body iron and liver iron concentration (LIC).
  • To assess changes in serum ferritin (SF) and liver iron as measured by MRI T2 (R2) after 18 months of DFX therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty Indian thalassemia patients with liver iron overload underwent baseline liver MRI T2 to quantify LIC.
  • Patients received DFX at 25-35 mg/kg/d for 18 months, with regular SF monitoring.
  • Liver R2 values (1,000/T2) were used to assess changes in LIC.

Main Results:

  • All patients exhibited some degree of liver iron overload at baseline.
  • After 18 months, serum ferritin levels significantly decreased (p=0.0011).
  • Liver R2 values showed a non-significant decrease, indicating no significant reduction in LIC (p=0.986).

Conclusions:

  • DFX monotherapy effectively reduces total body iron but does not significantly decrease liver iron concentration in this cohort.
  • DFX was well-tolerated by Indian thalassemia patients, with mild side effects observed.
  • MRI T2 (R2) is a valuable non-invasive tool for monitoring LIC in thalassemia patient management.

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