Thalassemia Major: Transplantation or Transfusion and Chelation

Genome-wide methylation and gene-expression analyses in thalassemia

Thalassemia is the most common autosomal genetic disorder in humans. The pathogenesis of thalassemia is principally due to the deletion or mutation of globin genes that then leads to disorders in globin-chain synthesis, and its predominant clinical manifestations include chronic forms of hemolytic anemia. However, research on the epigenetics and underlying pathogenesis of thalassemia is in its nascency and not yet been systematically realized. In this study, we compared the results of RNA-seq and the whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) on 22 peripheral blood samples from 14 thalassemic patients and eight healthy individuals revealed a genome-wide methylation landscape of differentially methylated regions (DMRs). And functional-enrichment analysis revealed the enriched biological pathways with respect to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially methylated genes (DMGs) to include hematopoietic lineage, glucose metabolism, and ribosome. To further analyze the interaction between the transcriptome and methylome, we implemented a comprehensive analysis of overlaps between DEGs and DMGs, and observed that biological processes significantly enriched the immune-related genes (i.e., our hypermethylated and down-regulated gene group). Hypermethylated and hypomethylated regions of thalassemia-related genes exhibited different distribution patterns. We thus, further identified and validated thalassemia-associated DMGs and DEGs by multi-omics integrative analyses of DNA methylation and transcriptomics data, and provided a comprehensive genomic map of thalassemia that will facilitate the exploration of the epigenetics mechanisms and pathogenesis underlying thalassemia.

Comparison of Yearly Cost Related to Complications Between Deferasirox and Deferiprone Monotherapy in Thalassemia

BACKGROUND

Hemoglobin disorders such as thalassemia major have created an economic burden on the health care system. Iron chelation therapy (ICT) is the most expensive cost component in patients with thalassemia. ICT was administered to reduce the toxic effects of iron overload. This study aims to compare the costs of iron chelators as monotherapy in patients with thalassemia major in Indonesia, specifically in Cipto Faculty of Medicine, Universit.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analytical observational study. Data were collected from the thalassemia registry from 2016 to 2019. Patients' age, gender, type of thalassemia, and type of iron chelation were recorded. Complications and total annual costs were evaluated. All thalassemia patients aged ≥2 years who were only receiving monotherapy ICT and had no history of therapy switching were eligible. We excluded subjects who moved out to other facilities or lost to follow-up.

RESULTS

From a total of 256 subjects, 249 subjects were included. The median age is 28 years old. Both sexes were represented equally. As many as 96.8% of subjects have thalassemia beta. Deferiprone was the most common iron chelator used (86.7%). Complications were observed in the subjects based on 4-year data collection; most of them were cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, delayed puberty, and malnutrition ( P =0.422; P =0.867; P =0.004; and P =0.125, respectively). Deferiprone had a lower mean annual cost of USD 3581 than deferasirox, which had a cost of USD 6004.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus, delayed puberty, and malnutrition were the most common complications found in the study. This study showed that deferiprone should be taken as consideration as a drug of choice to treat iron overload in thalassemia provided by Indonesian national health insurance which is less costly despite the probability of complications found after the treatment was given. Further investigations are required to evaluate contributing factors of complications in thalassemia.

Bone marrow Tfr2 deletion improves the therapeutic efficacy of the activin-receptor ligand trap RAP-536 in β-thalassemic mice

β-thalassemia is a disorder characterized by anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis (IE), and iron overload, whose treatment still requires improvement. The activin receptor-ligand trap Luspatercept, a novel therapeutic option for β-thalassemia, stimulates erythroid differentiation inhibiting the transforming growth factor β pathway. However, its exact mechanism of action and the possible connection with erythropoietin (Epo), the erythropoiesis governing cytokine, remain to be clarified. Moreover, Luspatercept does not correct all the features of the disease, calling for the identification of strategies that enhance its efficacy. Transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) regulates systemic iron homeostasis in the liver and modulates the response to Epo of erythroid cells, thus balancing red blood cells production with iron availability. Stimulating Epo signaling, hematopoietic Tfr2 deletion ameliorates anemia and IE in Hbbth3/+ thalassemic mice. To investigate whether hematopoietic Tfr2 inactivation improves the efficacy of Luspatercept, we treated Hbbth3/+ mice with or without hematopoietic Tfr2 (Tfr2BMKO/Hbbth3/+) with RAP-536, the murine analog of Luspatercept. As expected, both hematopoietic Tfr2 deletion and RAP-536 significantly ameliorate IE and anemia, and the combined approach has an additive effect. Since RAP-536 has comparable efficacy in both Hbbth3/+ and Tfr2BMKO/Hbbth3/+ animals, we propose that the drug promotes erythroid differentiation independently of TFR2 and EPO stimulation. Notably, the lack of Tfr2, but not RAP-536, can also attenuate iron-overload and related complications. Overall, our results shed further light on the mechanism of action of Luspatercept and suggest that strategies aimed at inhibiting hematopoietic TFR2 might improve the therapeutic efficacy of activin receptor-ligand traps.

The impact of chelation compliance in health outcome and health related quality of life in thalassaemia patients: a systematic review

Understanding consequences of poor chelation compliance is crucial given the enormous burden of post-transfusional iron overload complications. We systematically reviewed iron-chelation therapy (ICT) compliance, and the relationship between compliance with health outcome and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in thalassaemia patients. Several reviewers performed systematic search strategy of literature through PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost. The preferred reporting items of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Of 4917 studies, 20 publications were included. The ICT compliance rate ranges from 20.93 to 75.3%. It also varied per agent, ranging from 48.84 to 85.1% for desferioxamine, 87.2-92.2% for deferiprone and 90-100% for deferasirox. Majority of studies (N = 10/11, 90.91%) demonstrated significantly negative correlation between compliance and serum ferritin, while numerous studies revealed poor ICT compliance linked with increased risk of liver disease (N = 4/7, 57.14%) and cardiac disease (N = 6/8, 75%), endocrinologic morbidity (N = 4/5, 90%), and lower HRQoL (N = 4/6, 66.67%). Inadequate compliance to ICT therapy is common. Higher compliance is correlated with lower serum ferritin, lower risk of complications, and higher HRQoL. These findings should be interpreted with caution given the few numbers of evidence.

Differences in medical costs between TCM users and TCM nonusers in inpatients with thalassemia

BACKGROUND

Thalassemia has brought serious health threats and economic burdens to patients worldwide. There is no sovereign remedy for thalassemia, both conventional and Traditional Medicine (TM) methods have certain effects on this disease. As typical of TM, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the treatment of thalassemia. Previous studies mainly focused on conventional treatments for thalassemia and patients' medical burden, but no research has examined the effects of TCM use on the economic burdens for thalassemia inpatients in mainland China. The main objective of this study is to compare the medical cost differences between TCM users and TCM nonusers, furtherly, we will discuss the role of TCM use in the treatment of thalassemia.

METHODS

We employed the 2010-2016 Medicare claims database provided by the China Health Insurance Research Association (CHIRA). Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the differences between TCM users and TCM nonusers. Multiple regression analysis was performed using the ordinary least squares method to compare the TCM users' inpatient medical cost with TCM nonusers', and to further examine the correlation between TCM cost, conventional medication cost and nonpharmacy cost for TCM users.

RESULTS

A total of 588 urban thalassemia inpatients were identified, including 222 TCM users and 366 TCM nonusers. The inpatient medical cost of TCM users was RMB10,048 (USD1,513), which was significantly higher than TCM nonusers (RMB1,816 (USD273)). Total inpatient cost for TCM users was 67.4% higher than those of TCM nonusers (P < 0.001). With confounding factors fixed, we found that the conventional medication cost and nonpharmacy cost were positively correlated with TCM cost.

CONCLUSION

Total hospitalization expenses for TCM users were higher than TCM nonusers. Both the conventional medication cost and nonpharmacy cost of TCM users were all higher than TCM nonusers. We infer TCM plays a complementary role, rather than an alternative, in the treatment of thalassemia due to the lack of cooperative treatment guidelines. It is recommended that a cooperative diagnosis and treatment guidelines should be generated to balance the use of TCM and conventional medicine for treating thalassemia, so as to reduce the economic burdens on patients.

Predictors of health state utility values using SF-6D for Chinese adult patients with β-thalassemia major

Background

Patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM), predominantly adult patients, are associated with physical, mental, and social problems, that result in decreased quality of life (QoL). However, there is a paucity of data on QoL and health status utility (HSU) among adult patients with β-TM in mainland China. Our study aimed to evaluate the QoL by short form 36 questionnaire (SF-36) of adult patients with β-TM in mainland China and to estimate their HSU by SF-6D. In addition, we aimed to identify predictors of HSU.

Methods

In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a total of 75 adult patients with β-TM were included by the snowball sampling method that applied involving seven provinces with a relatively high prevalence of thalassemia across mainland China between September 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022. The collected information included social-demographic characteristics, health conditions, treatment, social support (social support rating scale), caregiver burden (Zarit burden interview), and QoL (SF-36). HSU scores were calculated for each adult patient from their SF-36 responses using the SF-6D algorithm with Hong Kong's tariff. The frequency of participants' responses to the SF-6D for each item of the options was described. Mean HSU scores between different subgroups were calculated. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression modeling was performed to identify factors associated with HSU.

Results

A total of 75 adult patients with β-TM were included in this study. The mean SF-36 score was 50.2 ± 10.70, of which physical and mental scores were 47.57 ± 11.28 and 52.85 ± 14.21, respectively. In addition, the mean SF-6D utility score was estimated to be 0.598 ± 0.112, ranging from 0.391 to 0.962. Univariate analyses showed that interruption of iron chelation treatment significantly affected HSU values (P = 0.038); diagnosis with comorbidity very slightly affected HSU values (P = 0.0996). In the multivariate analysis, diagnosis with comorbidity (P = 0.042) was significantly negatively associated with HSU values; the minimum pre-transfusion hemoglobin concentration (P = 0.047) and social support (P = 0.068) were positively associated with HSU values.

Conclusion

This study presents poor QoL and HSU outcomes in Chinese adult patients with β-TM. The study also highlights the importance of social support and treatment compliance, which can increase hemoglobin content and reduce comorbidities, further to ensure the QoL of patients. These findings can be used for future clinical and economic studies.

Endocrine Complications and the Effect of Compliance with Chelation Therapy in Patients with Beta Thalassemia Major in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

Background

Endocrinopathies and metabolic complications are common in beta thalassemia major patients receiving blood transfusions. Chelation therapy has a role in preventing or delaying such complications. However, patients may face difficulties adhering to chelation therapy for several reasons.

Aim

To evaluate endocrine complications in beta thalassemia major patients (2-30 years) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and compare the onset of endocrine complications among compliant and noncompliant patients. Moreover, we assessed the barriers that hinder compliance with chelating therapy.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 89 patients (43 males and 46 females) aged 2 to 30 years attending different hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and medical histories. The questionnaires were completed by face-to-face interviews with the patients or their caregivers, and the required laboratory data were retrieved from the medical records of patients.

Results

The most prevalent abnormality was underweight detected in (40.9%) of patients, followed by subclinical hypothyroidism (37.7%), short stature (35.2%), hypothyroidism in (17.0%) and diabetes mellitus in (13.6%). A significant difference between those who were compliant with iron chelation therapy and those who were not in terms of the prevalence of short stature (P value=0.05) and hypothyroidism (P value=0.05). The percentage of patients who were not compliant with chelation therapy was 21.6% and 9.1% of patients were not taking them at all.

Conclusion

Despite the role of chelation therapy in the management of iron overload, the risk of secondary endocrine and metabolic complications remained considerable. Subclinical hypothyroidism and short stature were the most frequent endocrine complications encountered in this study.

Transferrin receptor 2 (Tfr2) genetic deletion makes transfusion-independent a murine model of transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia

β-thalassemia is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the β-globin gene, and characterized by anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis and iron overload. Patients affected by the most severe transfusion-dependent form of the disease (TDT) require lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy, a symptomatic treatment associated with several complications. Other therapeutic opportunities are available, but none is fully effective and/or applicable to all patients, calling for the identification of novel strategies. Transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) balances red blood cells production according to iron availability, being an activator of the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin in the liver and a modulator of erythropoietin signaling in erythroid cells. Selective Tfr2 deletion in the BM improves anemia and iron-overload in non-TDT mice, both as a monotherapy and, even more strikingly, in combination with iron-restricting approaches. However, whether Tfr2 targeting might represent a therapeutic option for TDT has never been investigated so far. Here, we prove that BM Tfr2 deletion improves anemia, erythrocytes morphology and ineffective erythropoiesis in the Hbb^th1/th2 murine model of TDT. This effect is associated with a decrease in the expression of α-globin, which partially corrects the unbalance with β-globin chains and limits the precipitation of misfolded hemoglobin, and with a decrease in the activation of unfolded protein response. Remarkably, BM Tfr2 deletion is also sufficient to avoid long-term blood transfusions required for survival of Hbb^th1/th2 animals, preventing mortality due to chronic anemia and reducing transfusion-associated complications, such as progressive iron-loading. Altogether, TFR2 targeting might represent a promising therapeutic option also for TDT.

Evaluation of the combination therapy of hydroxyurea and thalidomide in β-thalassemia

Transfusion-related complications and lack of resources in low-to-middle-income countries have led to a search for novel therapies to reduce the need for blood transfusions in patients with β-thalassemia. Hydroxyurea (HU) has demonstrated promising outcomes; additionally, thalidomide has also shown improvement in hemoglobin (Hb) levels for patients with β-thalassemia in some studies. This study presents the findings of a single-arm nonrandomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy of HU and thalidomide in children with β-thalassemia. A total of 135 patients (median age, 6 [interquartile range, 3-10] years), 77 (57%) males and 58 (43%) females, were followed first using HU alone, for 6 months, and then using the combination of HU and thalidomide for another 6 months. The primary outcome was a response to therapy, as measured by the number of transfusions required and Hb levels, for patients while receiving HU alone and then while using the combination therapy. Study findings showed a significant decline in blood transfusion volume (P < .001) and a significant increase in median Hb levels within 3 and 6 months of the combination therapy (P < .001). Eighty-nine (65.93%) participants were good responders, 16 (11.85%) were responders, and 30 (22.22%) were nonresponders, whereas the responders had variable genetic mutations. A total of 38 adverse events were reported that resolved on supportive treatment or temporary hold of the intervention. The combination therapy demonstrated promising results and could be considered for a diverse patient population with β-thalassemia. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT05132270.

Identification of the β thalassemia allele β-50 and analysis of the hematology data of carriers in a southern Chinese population

During a routine test, we identified a 38-year-old man who had a positive hematology screening result but was negative for hot spot variants of his thalassemia gene. Further analysis identified β^-50 (HBB: c.-100G>A). It was first suggested that β^-50 was a β⁺ -thal allele, and some research groups suggested this allele was a silent β-thal allele. To fully understand the hematological phenotype of the β^-50 allele, we screened for individuals carrying β^-50 in the general population and performed hematology analysis on these carriers. A real-time PCR detection system was designed to verify samples carrying β^-50 . Twenty-one thousand samples and 43 pedigree samples were screened, and 86 β^-50 carriers were detected. We performed hematological analysis on 65 individuals older than 3 years who had normal serum ferritin and analyzed the data. A total of 34.62% of the β^-50 /β^N individuals had mean cellular volume (MCV) or mean cellular hemoglobin (MCH) values slightly lower than the positive cutoff value of screening; the β^-50 carriers' Hb A₂ value was slightly elevated. According to the test results, β^-50 carriers have slight changes in hematology parameters, including slight decreases in MCV and MCH and slight increases in Hb A₂ ; however, these effects do not reach the degree of traditional β⁺ alleles. Females with genotype β^-50 /β⁰ show a degree of decline in hematological indicators during pregnancy. Therefore, we should describe β^-50 as a β⁺⁺ thalassemia allele, and identification of β^-50 can explain slight changes in hematological indicators in some carriers.

Co-Transplantation of Haploidentical Stem Cells and a Dose of Unrelated Cord Blood in Pediatric Patients with Thalassemia Major

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a cure for patients suffering from thalassemia major (TM). Historically, patients were limited by the selection of donors, while the advancement of haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT) has greatly expanded the donor pool. However, the outcomes of haplo-SCT in TM recipients vary between different programs. In this study, we retrospectively studied 73 pediatric TM patients (median age, 7 years; range, 3 to 14 years) who underwent haplo-cord transplantation. Both the estimated overall survival and transfusion-free survival were 95.26% (CI 95.77% to 96.23%). Neither primary nor secondary graft failures were observed. The median follow-up period was 811 days (range, 370 to 1433 days). Median neutrophil and platelet engraftment times were 22 days (range, 8 to 48 days) and 20 days (range, 8 to 99 days), respectively. Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) was observed in 52% of patients and of these, 25% developed grade III to IV aGVHD. Cord blood engraftment was associated with delayed immune recovery and increased aGVHD severity. Viral DNAemia occurred in a relatively high proportion of patients but only 7% of patients developed CMV disease, while another 7% of patients had post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder. Long-term complication outcomes were good. Only one patient developed extensive chronic GVHD. No surviving patients were reliant on blood transfusion by the time this manuscript was submitted. This is one of the largest studies on the outcomes of pediatric TM patients who received stem cell transplantations from alternative donors. The haplo-cord program is safe and practical for TM patients that do not have matched donors.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Hemoglobinopathies

Hemoglobinopathies are the most common single-gene diseases and are estimated to affect millions of people worldwide. Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are the most prevalent diseases of this group. Today, despite the decreasing number of newborns diagnosed with a hemoglobinopathy, it remains an important health problem for many countries. Although regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, advanced iron chelation, and supportive therapy alternatives have improved life expectancy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative option for patients with hemoglobinopathies to prevent irreversible organ damage. Modern transplantation approaches and careful posttransplantation follow-up of patients have improved survival outcomes, and HSCT has now been performed in several patients with hemoglobinopathies worldwide. Considering current experiences, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is recommended in cases of β-thalassemia (β-thal) in the presence of a matched family or unrelated donor, without secondary organ damage due to transfusion. In patients with sickle cell anemia, transplantation indications include transfusion dependence and cases of secondary organ damage. Recently, gene therapy as a possible treatment option has yielded promising results, though it is not in routine clinical use at its current stage.

Changing patterns in the epidemiology of β-thalassemia

β‐thalassemia major is an inherited hemoglobinopathy that requires lifelong red blood cell transfusions and iron chelation therapy to prevent complications due to iron overload. Traditionally, β‐thalassemia has been more common in certain regions of the world such as the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. However, the prevalence of β‐thalassemia is increasing in other regions, including Northern Europe and North America, primarily due to migration. This review summarizes the available data on the changing incidence and prevalence of β‐thalassemia as well as factors influencing disease frequency. The data suggest that the epidemiology of β‐thalassemia is changing: Migration has increased the prevalence of the disease in regions traditionally believed to have a low prevalence, while, at the same time, prevention and screening programs in endemic regions have reduced the number of affected individuals. Various approaches to prevention and screening have been used. Region‐specific prevention and treatment programs, customized to align with local healthcare resources and cultural values, have been effective in identifying patients and carriers and providing information and care. Significant challenges remain in universally implementing these programs.

A cost-of-illness analysis of β-Thalassaemia major in children in Sri Lanka - experience from a tertiary level teaching hospital

Background

Sri Lanka has a high prevalence of β-thalassaemia major. Clinical management is complex and long-term and includes regular blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy. The economic burden of β-thalassaemia for the Sri Lankan healthcare system and households is currently unknown.

Methods

A prevalence-based, cost-of-illness study was conducted on the Thalassaemia Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Kandy Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Data were collected from clinical records, consultations with the head of the blood bank and a consultant paediatrician directly involved with the care of patients, alongside structured interviews with families to gather data on the personal costs incurred such as those for travel.

Results

Thirty-four children aged 2–17 years with transfusion dependent thalassaemia major and their parent/guardian were included in the study. The total average cost per patient year to the hospital was $US 2601 of which $US 2092 were direct costs and $US 509 were overhead costs. Mean household expenditure was $US 206 per year with food and transport per transfusion ($US 7.57 and $US 4.26 respectively) being the highest cost items. Nine (26.5%) families experienced catastrophic levels of healthcare expenditure (> 10% of income) in the care of their affected child. The poorest households were the most likely to experience such levels of expenditure.

Conclusions

β-thalassaemia major poses a significant economic burden on health services and the families of affected children in Sri Lanka. Greater support is needed for the high proportion of families that suffer catastrophic out-of-pocket costs.

Epidemiology and treatment of beta thalassemia major in China

Thalassemia, classified as the main types α- and β-thalassemia, is a single gene disorder resulting from globin chain synthesis impairment through the mutation or deletion of globin genes. The incidence of thalassemia is high worldwide, with high associated mortality. Therefore, treatment is important to improve patient outcomes. This paper reviews the current status of β-thalassemia major in China, including its epidemiology and treatment.

Evaluation of regulatory T cells frequency and FoxP3/GDF-15 gene expression in β-thalassemia major patients with and without alloantibody; correlation with serum ferritin and folate levels

β-thalassemia major is one of the most common hematologic disorders in the world. It causes severe anemia and patients require regular blood transfusions, which causes different complications such as iron overload and alloimmunization. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have an important role in regulation of immune responses. FoxP3 is the major marker of Tregs and its expression can be influenced by different factors. GDF-15 is another gene that plays a role in iron homeostasis and regulation of immune system in different diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of Tregs and FoxP3/GDF-15 gene expression in β-thalassemia major patients with and without alloantibody as well as its correlation with different factors such as serum ferritin and folate levels. This study was conducted on 68 β-thalassemia major patients with and without alloantibodies in comparison with 20 healthy individuals with matched age and sex as control group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), flow cytometry, and real-time PCR were performed in order to evaluate serum ferritin and folate levels, frequency of Tregs, and the expression of FoxP3 and GDF-15 genes, respectively. The percentage and absolute count of Tregs were increased in patients compared with controls (P = 0.0003), but there was no difference between responders and non-responders (P > 0.05). The Tregs count correlated positively with serum ferritin. No correlation was observed between target genes and serum ferritin and folate, but there was a positive significant correlation between the expression of FoxP3 and GDF-15 genes, which shows the immunosuppressive role of GDF-15.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Thalassemia Patients: a Jordanian Single Centre Experience

Introduction:

Beta thalassemia major is the commonest inherited hematological disorder worldwide which needs lifelong sufficient supportive management. Hematopoietic stem Cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative treatment available till now.

Aim:

To evaluate the outcome of children who underwent allogenic hematopoietic stem Cell transplantation as a curative approach for Thalassemia Major, treated at Queen Rania AL- Abdullah children Hospital (QRCH)

Methods:

A retrospective review of the medical files was conducted for all children (< 15 years) who had thalassemia major and received HSCT between January, 2010 and January, 2019. The following variables were studied for all patients: age , gender, Pesaro classifications, the count of infused raw bone marrow stem cell (CD34), engraftment time, outcome and complications.

Results:

A total of 34 children were transplanted for thalassemia major, at an average of 4 cases per year. All underwent allogenic raw bone marrow transplantation from matched related donors. Thirteen patients (38.2%) were males and twenty one (61.2%) were females. The age ranged between 2 and 15 years, with a median age of 6.5 years. According to Pesaro classification, 31 patients were class 2 (91.2%) and 3 patients were class 3 (8.8%) while no single case met the criteria for class 1 Pesaro classification. The median CD34 count was 3.5 million/Kg of recipient weight (range, 1.5*10⁶-7*10⁶ /kg). The median time for neutrophil engraftment was 15.5 days. At a median follow up of 5 years (range 1- 9.5), 33 patients were alive. One patient died before 100 days post transplantation due to grade IV acute gastrointestinal Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). Three patients had secondary graft failure (8.8%). Six patients (17.5 %) developed mild grade 1-2 skin GVHD while another patient developed hemorrhagic cystitis due to BK virus and cytomegalovirus (CMV) which reactivated simultaneously, and was successfully managed.

Conclusion:

The outlook for Thalassemia major has dramatically changed after HSCT, with a considerable success in Jordan and results comparable to international data.

Allogenic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Thalassemia Major: A Single-center Retrospective Analysis From India

Thalassemia is a major public health problem in developing countries. Sibling matched hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is the recommended treatment for thalassemia major (TM). We retrospectively analyzed our data of thalassemia major patients who underwent HCT at a tertiary care center in Northern India from January 2008 to September 2017. The primary end points were overall survival (OS) and thalassemia-free survival (TFS), and secondary end points were complications post HCT (graft-versus-host-disease [GVHD], hemorrhagic cystitis [HC], and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome [SOS]). Data of 203 transplants for 200 patients (3 s transplants) were evaluated. Median follow-up period was 29.1 months (range, 0.3 to 116.7 mo). The overall survival (OS) was 88.5% and TFS was 82%. Class risk analysis showed a significantly higher OS and TFS in class I and class II compared to class III high risk group (OS: P=0.0017; TFS: P=0.0005) and (OS: P=0.0134; TFS: P=0.0027) respectively. Acute and chronic GVHD was seen in 59 (29.5%) and 18 (9%) patients, respectively, and SOS and HC were seen in 23 (11.5%) and 11 (5.5%) patients, respectively. This study reconfirms that allogenic HCT is feasible in developing world with the overall survival and TFS comparable to that reported in Western literature and should be considered early in all TM patients with available matched sibling donors.

Simultaneous detection of target CNVs and SNVs of thalassemia by multiplex PCR and next‑generation sequencing

Thalassemia is caused by complex mechanisms, including copy number variants (CNVs) and single nucleotide variants (SNVs). The CNV types of α‑thalassemia are typically detected by gap‑polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The SNV types are detected by Sanger sequencing. In the present study, a novel method was developed that simultaneously detects CNVs and SNVs by multiplex PCR and next‑generation sequencing (NGS). To detect CNVs, 33 normal samples were used as a cluster of control values to build a baseline, and the A, B, C, and D ratios were developed to evaluate‑SEA, ‑α4.2, ‑α3.7, and compound or homozygous CNVs, respectively. To detect other SNVs, sequencing data were analyzed using the system's software and annotated using Annovar software. In a test of performance, 128 patients with thalassemia were detected using the method developed and were confirmed by Sanger sequencing and gap‑PCR. Four different CNV types were clearly distinguished by the developed algorithm, with ‑SEA, ‑α3.7, ‑α4.2, and compound or homozygous deletions. The sensitivities for each CNV type were 96.72% (59/61), 97.37% (37/38), 83.33% (10/12) and 95% (19/20), and the specificities were 93.94% (32/33), 93.94% (32/33), 100% (33/33) and 100% (33/33), respectively. The SNVs detected were consistent with those of the Sanger sequencing.