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Chapin J, Cohen AR, Neufeld EJ, Vichinsky E, Giardina PJ, Boudreaux J, Le BC, Kenney K, Trimble S, Thompson AA. An update on the US adult thalassaemia population: a report from the CDC thalassaemia treatment centres. Br J Haematol 2021; 196:380-389. [PMID: 34775608 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Thalassaemia is caused by genetic globin defects leading to anaemia, transfusion-dependence and comorbidities. Reduced survival and systemic organ disease affect transfusion-dependent thalassaemia major and thalassaemia intermedia. Recent improvements in clinical management have reduced thalassaemia mortality. The therapeutic landscape of thalassaemia may soon include gene therapies as functional cures. An analysis of the adult US thalassaemia population has not been performed since the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network cohort study from 2000 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported US thalassaemia treatment centres (TTCs) to compile longitudinal information on individuals with thalassaemia. This dataset provided an opportunity to evaluate iron balance, chelation, comorbidities and demographics of adults with thalassaemia receiving care at TTCs. Two adult cohorts were compared: those over 40 years old (n = 75) and younger adults ages 18-39 (n = 201). The older adult cohort was characterized by higher numbers of iron-related comorbidities and transfusion-related complications. By contrast, younger adults had excess hepatic and cardiac iron and were receiving combination chelation therapy. The ethnic composition of the younger cohort was predominantly of Asian origin, reflecting the demographics of immigration. These findings demonstrate that comprehensive care and periodic surveys are needed to ensure optimal health and access to emerging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Chapin
- Division of Hematology & Medical Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine-New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alan R Cohen
- Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ellis J Neufeld
- Boston Children's Hospital- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Patricia J Giardina
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Weill Cornell Medicine-New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeanne Boudreaux
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Binh C Le
- Bleeding Team, Epidemiology & Surveillance Branch, Division of Blood Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kristy Kenney
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sean Trimble
- NCIRD, Immunization Services Division, Vaccine Supply and Assurance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alexis A Thompson
- Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Vichinsky E, Cohen A, Thompson AA, Giardina PJ, Lal A, Paley C, Cheng WY, McCormick N, Sasane M, Qiu Y, Kwiatkowski JL. Epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of nontransfusion-dependent thalassemia in the United States. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2018; 65:e27067. [PMID: 29637688 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.27067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nontransfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) refers to a diverse group of thalassemia mutations and clinical phenotypes that do not require chronic transfusions. It is increasingly prevalent in the United States. PROCEDURE This study reviews the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of 138 patients with NTDT treated at four US thalassemia centers from 1997 to 2014. Data on laboratory results, transfusions, and clinical complications were collected from patient charts. RESULTS Overall, 84 patients with α-thalassemia (62 deletional hemoglobin H; 22 nondeletional hemoglobin H), 39 with β-thalassemia (26 with homozygous or double heterozygous β mutations; 13 with single β mutations with or without α triplication), and 15 with E/β-thalassemia (12 E/β0 ; three E/β+ ) were identified. At study entry, the median age for patients with α-thalassemia was 2.3 years; 9.2 years for patients with β-thalassemia and 2.2 years for patients with E/β-thalassemia. Most patients with α-thalassemia were Asian. Patients with β-thalassemia were predominantly Caucasian (46%) or of African descent (36%). Twenty percent of patients were born outside the United States and 5% were transfused before immigration. Complications varied by genotype and age. Individuals with nondeletional hemoglobin H were severely affected and, despite their young age, had many complications. Iron overload increased with age and was more common in patients who received transfusions. CONCLUSIONS NTDT in the United States is a multi-ethnic disease with different genotypic mutations and phenotypic manifestations. A higher than expected proportion of patients was Black/African American. NTDT-related complications are common and increase with age, supporting a need for early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott Vichinsky
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, California
| | - Alan Cohen
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Alexis A Thompson
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Patricia J Giardina
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York
| | - Ashutosh Lal
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, California
| | - Carole Paley
- Department of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey
| | | | | | - Medha Sasane
- Department of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey
| | - Ying Qiu
- Department of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey
| | - Janet L Kwiatkowski
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Chapin J, Giardina PJ. Thalassemia Syndromes. Hematology 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-35762-3.00040-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
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Abdel-Wahab O, Abrahm JL, Adams S, Adewoye AH, Allen C, Ambinder RF, Anasetti C, Anastasi J, Anderson JA, Antin JH, Antony AC, Araten DJ, Armand P, Armstrong G, Armstrong SA, Arnold DM, Artz AS, Awan FT, Baglin TP, Benson DM, Benz EJ, Berliner N, Bhagat G, Bhardwaj N, Bhatia R, Bhatia S, Bhatt MD, Bhatt VR, Bitan M, Blinderman CD, Bollard CM, Braun BS, Brenner MK, Brittenham GM, Brodsky RA, Brown M, Broxmeyer HE, Brummel-Ziedins K, Brunner AM, Buadi FK, Burkhardt B, Burns M, Byrd JC, Caimi PF, Caligiuri MA, Canavan M, Cantor AB, Carcao M, Carroll MC, Carty SA, Castillo JJ, Chan AK, Chapin J, Chiu A, Chute JP, Clark DB, Coates TD, Cogle CR, Connell NT, Cooke E, Cooley S, Corradini P, Creager MA, Creger RJ, Cromwell C, Crowther MA, Cushing MM, Cutler C, Dang CV, Danial NN, Dave SS, DeCaprio JA, Dinauer MC, Dinner S, Diz-Küçükkaya R, Dodd RY, Donato ML, Dorshkind K, Dotti G, Dror Y, Dunleavy K, Dvorak CC, Ebert BL, Eck MJ, Eikelboom JW, Epperla N, Ershler WB, Evans WE, Faderl S, Ferrara JL, Filipovich AH, Fischer M, Fredenburgh JC, Friedman KD, Fuchs E, Fuller SJ, Gailani D, Galipeau J, Gallagher PG, Ganapathi KA, Gardner LB, Gee AP, Gerson SL, Gertz MA, Giardina PJ, Gibson CJ, Golan K, Golub TR, Gonzales MJ, Gotlib J, Gottschalk S, Grant MA, Graubert TA, Gregg XT, Gribben JG, Gross DM, Gruber TA, Guitart J, Gurbuxani S, Gur-Cohen S, Gutierrez A, Hamadani M, Hari PN, Hartwig JH, Hayman SR, Hayward CP, Hebbel RP, Heslop HE, Hillis C, Hillyer CD, Ho K, Hockenbery DM, Hoffman R, Hogg KE, Holtan SG, Horny HP, Hsu YMS, Hunter ZR, Huntington JA, Iancu-Rubin C, Iqbal A, Isenman DE, Israels SJ, Italiano JE, Jaffe ES, Jaffer IH, Jagannath S, Jäger U, Jain N, James P, Jeha S, Jordan MB, Josephson CD, Jung M, Kager L, Kambayashi T, Kanakry JA, Kantarjian HM, Kaplan J, Karafin MS, Karsan A, Kaufman RJ, Kaufman RM, Keller FG, Kelly KM, Kessler CM, Key NS, Keyzner A, Khandoga AG, Khanna-Gupta A, Khatib-Massalha E, Klein HG, Knoechel B, Kollet O, Konkle BA, Kontoyiannis DP, Koreth J, Koretzky GA, Kotecha D, Kremyanskaya M, Kumari A, Kuzel TM, Küppers R, Lacy MQ, Ladas E, Landier W, Lapid K, Lapidot T, Larson PJ, Levi M, Lewis RE, Liebman HA, Lillicrap D, Lim W, Lin JC, Lindblad R, Lip GY, Little JA, Lohr JG, López JA, Luscinskas FW, Maciejewski JP, Majhail NS, Manches O, Mandle RJ, Mann KG, Manno CS, Marcogliese AN, Mariani G, Marincola FM, Mascarenhas J, Massberg S, McEver RP, McGrath E, McKinney MS, Mehta RS, Mentzer WC, Merlini G, Merryman R, Michel M, Migliaccio AR, Miller JS, Mims MP, Mondoro TH, Moorehead P, Muniz LR, Munshi NC, Najfeld V, Nayak L, Nazy I, Neff AT, Ness PM, Notarangelo LD, O'Brien SH, O'Connor OA, O'Donnell M, Olson A, Orkin SH, Pai M, Pai SY, Paidas M, Panch SR, Pande RL, Papayannopoulou T, Parikh R, Petersdorf EW, Peterson SE, Pittaluga S, Ponce DM, Popolo L, Prchal JT, Pui CH, Puigserver P, Rak J, Ramos CA, Rand JH, Rand ML, Rao DS, Ravandi F, Rawlings DJ, Reddy P, Reding MT, Reiter A, Rice L, Riese MJ, Ritchey AK, Roberts DJ, Roman E, Rooney CM, Rosen ST, Rosenthal DS, Rossmann MP, Rot A, Rowley SD, Rubnitz JE, Rydz N, Salama ME, Sauk S, Saunthararajah Y, Savage W, Scadden D, Schaefer KG, Schiffman F, Schneidewend R, Schrier SL, Schuchman EH, Scullion BF, Selvaggi KJ, Senoo K, Shaheen M, Shaz BH, Shelburne SA, Shpall EJ, Shurin SB, Siegal D, Silberstein LE, Silberstein L, Silverstein RL, Sloan SR, Smith FO, Smith JW, Smith K, Steensma DP, Steinberg MH, Stock W, Storry JR, Stramer SL, Strauss RG, Stroncek DF, Taylor J, Thota S, Treon SP, Tulpule A, Valdes RF, Valent P, Vedantham S, Vercellotti GM, Verneris MR, Vichinsky EP, von Andrian UH, Vose JM, Wagner AJ, Wang E, Wang JH, Warkentin TE, Wasserstein MP, Webster A, Weisdorf DJ, Weitz JI, Westhoff CM, Wheeler AP, Widick P, Wiley JS, William BM, Williams DA, Wilson WH, Wolfe J, Wolgast LR, Wood D, Wu J, Yahalom J, Yee DL, Younes A, Young NS, Zeller MP. Contributors. Hematology 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-35762-3.00168-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Taher AT, Saliba AN, Kuo KH, Giardina PJ, Cohen AR, Neufeld EJ, Aydinok Y, Kwiatkowski JL, Jeglinski BI, Pietropaolo K, Berk G, Viprakasit V. Safety and pharmacokinetics of the oral iron chelator SP-420 in β-thalassemia. Am J Hematol 2017; 92:1356-1361. [PMID: 28940308 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.24914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Our phase I, open-label, multi-center, dose-escalation study evaluated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of SP-420, a tridentate oral iron chelating agent of the desferrithiocin class, in patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassemia. SP-420 was administered as a single dose of 1.5 (n = 3), 3 (n = 3), 6 (n = 3), 12 (n = 3), and 24 (n = 6) mg/kg or as a twice-daily dose of 9 mg/kg (n = 6) over 14-28 days. There was a near dose-linear increase in the mean plasma SP-420 concentrations and in the mean values for Cmax and AUC0-τ over the dose range evaluated. The median tmax ranged from 0.5 to 2.25 h and was not dose dependent. The study was prematurely terminated by the sponsor due to renal adverse events (AE) including proteinuria, increase in serum creatinine, and one case of Fanconi syndrome. Other adverse effects included hypersensitivity reactions and gastrointestinal disturbances. Based on current dose administration, the renal AE observed outweighed the possible benefits from chelation therapy. However, additional studies assessing efficacy and safety of lower doses or less frequent dosing of SP-420 over longer durations with close monitoring would be necessary to better explain the findings of our study and characterize the safety of the study drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali T. Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine; American University of Beirut Medical Center; Beirut Lebanon
| | - Antoine N. Saliba
- Department of Medicine; Indiana University School of Medicine; Indianapolis Indiana
| | - Kevin H. Kuo
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology; University Health Network; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | | | - Alan R. Cohen
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | | | - Yesim Aydinok
- Department of Pediatric Hematology; Ege University Hospital; Izmir Turkey
| | - Janet L. Kwiatkowski
- Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Pennsylvania
| | | | | | - Gregory Berk
- Sideris Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Lexington Massachusetts
| | - Vip Viprakasit
- Department of Pediatrics & Thalassemia Center; Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University; Bangkok Thailand
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Spitzer B, Giardina PJ, O'Reilly RJ, Boulad F. Late complications of mixed chimerism following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for thalassemia major. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015; 62:1303-4. [PMID: 25810133 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.25498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Spitzer
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Bone Marrow Transplant Service, New York
| | - Patricia J Giardina
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Pediatrics, New York
| | - Richard J O'Reilly
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Bone Marrow Transplant Service, New York.,New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Pediatrics, New York
| | - Farid Boulad
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Bone Marrow Transplant Service, New York.,New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Pediatrics, New York
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7
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Switzer WM, Shankar A, Trimble SR, Thompson AA, Giardina PJ, Cohen AR, Coates TD, Vichinsky E, Neufeld EJ, Boudreaux JM, Heneine W. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection among U.S. Thalassemia patients. Retrovirology 2014. [PMCID: PMC4045033 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-11-s1-p54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
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8
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Thompson AA, Kim HY, Singer ST, Vichinsky E, Eile J, Yamashita R, Giardina PJ, Olivieri N, Parmar N, Trachtenberg F, Neufeld EJ, Kwiatkowski JL. Pregnancy outcomes in women with thalassemia in North America and the United Kingdom. Am J Hematol 2013; 88:771-3. [PMID: 23757266 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.23506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Improved survival in thalassemia has refocused attention on quality of life, including family planning. Understanding the issues associated with infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes may impact clinical care of patients with thalassemia. We report the number and outcomes of pregnancies among subjects enrolled in Thalassemia Clinical Research Network (TCRN) registries and examine variables associated with successful childbirth. We identified 129 pregnancies in 72 women among the 264 women, age 18 years or older in our dataset. Over 70% of pregnancies resulted in live births and 73/83 (88%) of live births occurred at full term. Most pregnancies (78.2%) were conceived without reproductive technologies. Most (59.3%) pregnancies occurred while on chronic transfusion programs, however only 38.9% were on iron chelation. Four women developed heart problems. Iron burden in women who had conceived was not significantly different from age- and diagnosis-matched controls that had never been pregnant. There was also no difference in pregnancy outcomes associated with diagnosis, transfusion status, diabetes or Hepatitis C infection. Pregnancies occurred in 27.3% of women with thalassemia of child-bearing age in the TCRN registries, a notable increase from our previous 2004 report. With optimal health maintenance, successful pregnancies may be achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis A. Thompson
- Division of Hematology-Oncology; Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago; Chicago; Illinois
| | - Hae-Young Kim
- New England Research Institutes; Watertown; Massachusetts
| | - Sylvia T. Singer
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland; Oakland; California
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland; Oakland; California
| | - Jennifer Eile
- Hematology; Children's Hospital Boston; Boston; Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Nagina Parmar
- University of Toronto, Hospital for Sick Children; Toronto; ON; Canada
| | | | | | - Janet L. Kwiatkowski
- Division of Hematology; Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Philadelphia; Pennsylvania
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Goldberg SL, Giardina PJ, Chirnomas D, Esposito J, Paley C, Vichinsky E. The palatability and tolerability of deferasirox taken with different beverages or foods. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60:1507-12. [PMID: 23637051 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.24561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deferasirox is a once-daily, oral iron chelator that was developed out of a need for a long-acting, conveniently-administered chelator for patients with transfusional hemosiderosis. The approved mode of administration requires taking deferasirox on an empty stomach with water, apple juice, or orange juice to limit variation in bioavailability. This required administration schedule might not be palatable for patients. Additionally, approximately one-quarter of patients experience mild to moderate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, which may pose additional challenges, particularly in the younger and older age ranges. We present a trial to assess the palatability and safety of various administration modes of deferasirox in pediatric and adult patients. PROCEDURES Participants rated palatability in a 4-week run-in phase, where deferasirox was administered per label. Subsequently, patients rated several administration modes during a 3-month assessment phase. RESULTS Palatability was more favorable during the assessment phase, with 47% of patient ratings for palatability being favorable while only 38% were favorable during the run-in phase. The most highly rated choice was deferasirox taken with a soft food at breakfast. In addition, there was an indication of improved GI tolerability during the assessment phase (symptoms were reported in 37% of patients during run-in and 32% during the assessment phase; rates of diarrhea decreased significantly). Although trough PK values increased, no major new toxicities were observed. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that different administration options may improve palatability and GI tolerability, which could have a positive impact on treatment adherence. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00845871)
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart L Goldberg
- John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601, USA.
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Ambati SR, Randolph RE, Mennitt K, Kleinert DA, Weinsaft JW, Giardina PJ. Longitudinal monitoring of cardiac siderosis using cardiovascular magnetic resonance T2* in patients with thalassemia major on various chelation regimens: a 6-year study. Am J Hematol 2013; 88:652-6. [PMID: 23640778 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.23469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 04/21/2013] [Accepted: 04/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and hepatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have become reliable noninvasive tools to monitor iron excess in thalassemia major (TM) patients. However, long-term studies are lacking. We reviewed CMR and hepatic MRI T2* imaging on 54 TM patients who had three or more annual measurements. They were managed on various chelation regimens. Patients were grouped according to their degree of cardiac siderosis: severe (T2*, <10 msec), mild to moderate (T2* = 10-20 msec), and no cardiac siderosis (T2*, >20 msec). We looked at the change in cardiac T2*, liver iron concentration (LIC) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at years 3 and 5. In patients with severe cardiac siderosis, cardiac T2* (mean ± SD) improved from 6.9 ± 1.6 at baseline to 13.6 ± 10.0 by year 5, mean ΔT2* = 6.7 (P = 0.04). Change in cardiac T2* at year 3 was not significant in the severe group. Patients with mild to moderate cardiac siderosis had mean cardiac T2* of 14.6 ± 2.9 at baseline which improved to 26.3 ± 9.5 by year 3, mean ΔT2* = 1.7 (P = 0.01). At baseline, median LICs (mg/g dry weight) in patients with severe, mild-moderate, and no cardiac siderosis were 3.6, 2.8, and 3.3, whereas LVEFs (mean ± SD) (%) were 56.3 ± 10.1, 60 ± 5, and 66 ± 7.6, respectively. No significant correlation was noted between Δ cardiac T2* and Δ LIC, Δ cardiac T2*, and Δ LVEF at years 3 and 5. Throughout the observation period, patients with no cardiac siderosis maintained their cardiac T2* above 20 msec. The majority of patients with cardiac siderosis improve cardiac T2* over time with optimal chelation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikanth R. Ambati
- Department of Pediatrics; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; New York; New York
| | - Rachel E. Randolph
- Department of Pediatrics; Weill Cornell Medical College; New York; New York
| | - Kevin Mennitt
- Department of Radiology; Weill Cornell Medical College; New York; New York
| | | | - Jonathan W. Weinsaft
- Cardiac MR/CT Imaging Program; Division of Cardiology, Weill Cornell Medical College; New York; New York
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Vichinsky E, Neumayr L, Trimble S, Giardina PJ, Cohen AR, Coates T, Boudreaux J, Neufeld EJ, Kenney K, Grant A, Thompson AA. Transfusion complications in thalassemia patients: a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CME). Transfusion 2013; 54:972-81; quiz 971. [PMID: 23889533 DOI: 10.1111/trf.12348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2012] [Revised: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusions are the primary therapy for thalassemia but have significant cumulative risks. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established a national blood safety monitoring program for thalassemia. This report summarizes the population and their previous nonimmune and immune transfusion complications. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS The CDC Thalassemia Blood Safety Network is a consortium of centers longitudinally following patients. Enrollment occurred from 2004 through 2012. Demographics, transfusion history, infectious exposures, and transfusion and nontransfusion complications were summarized. Logistic regression analyses of factors associated with allo- and autoimmunization were employed. RESULTS The race/ethnicity of these 407 thalassemia patients was predominantly Asian or Caucasian. The mean ± SD age was 22.3 ± 13.2 years and patients had received a mean ± SD total number of 149 ± 103.4 units of red blood cells (RBCs). Multiorgan dysfunction was common despite chelation. Twenty-four percent of transfused patients had previous exposure to possible transfusion-associated pathogens including one case of babesia. As 27% were immigrants, the infection source cannot be unequivocally linked to transfusion. Transfusion reactions occurred in 48%, including allergic, febrile, and hemolytic; 19% were alloimmunized. Common antigens were E, Kell, and C. Years of transfusion was the strongest predictor of alloimmunization. Autoantibodies occurred in 6.5% and were associated with alloimmunization (p < 0.0001). Local institutional policies, not patient characteristics, were major determinants of blood preparation and transfusion practices. CONCLUSION Hemosiderosis, transfusion reactions, and infections continue to be major problems in thalassemia. New pathogens were noted. National guidelines for RBC phenotyping and preparation are needed to decrease transfusion-related morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott Vichinsky
- Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, California; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York; Children's Hospital Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, Atlanta, Georgia; Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Switzer WM, Shankar A, Trimble SR, Thompson AA, Giardina PJ, Cohen AR, Coates TD, Vichinsky E, Neufeld EJ, Boudreaux JM, Heneine W. Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection among U.S. thalassemia patients. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2013; 29:1006-9. [PMID: 23409829 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2012.0382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Thalassemia is an inherited genetic disorder requiring multiple transfusions to treat anemia caused by low hemoglobin levels. Thus, thalassemia patients are at risk for infection with blood-borne pathogens, including human T cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) that are transmitted by transfusion of cellular blood products. Here, we examined the prevalence of HTLV among 234 U.S. thalassemia patients using sera collected in 2008. Sera were tested for antibodies to HTLV-1/2 using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and a confirmatory western blot (WB) that differentiates between HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. Demographic information and clinical information were collected at study enrollment, including HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) status. Three patients (1.3%) were WB positive; two were HTLV-1 and one could not be serotyped as HTLV-1/2. All three HTLV-positive persons were HIV-1 negative and one was HCV seropositive. The HTLV seroprevalence was higher than that of HIV-1 (0.85%) and lower than HCV (18.8%) in this population. All three patients (ages 26-46 years) were diagnosed with β-thalassemia shortly after birth and have since been receiving multiple transfusions annually. Two of the HTLV-positive patients confirmed receiving transfusions before HTLV blood screening was implemented in 1988. We identified a substantial HTLV-1 seroprevalence in U.S. thalassemia patients that is much greater than that seen in blood donors. Our findings highlight the importance of HTLV testing of patients with thalassemia and other diseases requiring multiple transfusions, especially in recipients of unscreened transfusions. In addition, appropriate counseling and follow-up of HTLV-infected patients are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M. Switzer
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Anupama Shankar
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sean R. Trimble
- Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Division of Blood Disorders, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | | | - Alan R. Cohen
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | | | - Walid Heneine
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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13
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Oyeku SO, Driscoll MC, Cohen HW, Trachtman R, Pashankar F, Mullen C, Giardina PJ, Velazco N, Racine AD, Green NS. Parental and other factors associated with hydroxyurea use for pediatric sickle cell disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60:653-8. [PMID: 23129068 PMCID: PMC3625668 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.24381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 10/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydroxyurea (HU) is highly effective treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD). While pediatric use of HU is accepted clinical practice, barriers to use may impede its potential benefit. PROCEDURE A survey of parents of children ages 5-17 years with SCD was performed across five institutions to assess factors associated with HU use. RESULTS Of the 173 parent responses, 65 (38%) had children currently taking HU. Among parents of children not taking HU, the most commonly cited reasons were that their hematology provider had not offered it, their child was not sufficiently symptomatic and concerns about potential side effects. Even parents of HU users reported widespread concern about effectiveness, long-term safety, and off-label use. In bivariate analyses, children's ages, parental demographics such as education level, or travel time to their hematology provider were not correlated with HU use. Bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression revealed three significant factors associated with current HU use: better parental knowledge about its major therapeutic effects (P < 0.001), sickle genotype (P = 0.005), and institution of clinical care (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Pervasive concerns about HU safety exist, even among parents of current users. Varying knowledge among parents appears to be independent of their demographics, and is associated with HU use. Inter-institutional variability in parental knowledge and drug uptake highlights potentially potent site-specific influences on likelihood of HU use. Overall, these survey data underscore the need for strategies to bolster parental understanding about benefits of HU and address concerns about its safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzette O. Oyeku
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
| | - M. Catherine Driscoll
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
| | - Hillel W. Cohen
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
| | - Rebecca Trachtman
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
| | - Farzana Pashankar
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Yale University
| | - Craig Mullen
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Rochester
| | - Patricia J. Giardina
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Cornell University
| | - Nerissa Velazco
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
| | - Andrew D. Racine
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
| | - Nancy S. Green
- Dept. of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Columbia University
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14
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Ramos P, Casu C, Gardenghi S, Breda L, Crielaard BJ, Guy E, Marongiu MF, Gupta R, Levine RL, Abdel-Wahab O, Ebert BL, Van Rooijen N, Ghaffari S, Grady RW, Giardina PJ, Rivella S. Macrophages support pathological erythropoiesis in polycythemia vera and β-thalassemia. Nat Med 2013; 19:437-45. [PMID: 23502961 PMCID: PMC3618568 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Regulation of erythropoiesis is achieved by the integration of distinct signals. Among them, macrophages are emerging as erythropoietin-complementary regulators of erythroid development, particularly under stress conditions. We investigated the contribution of macrophages to physiological and pathological conditions of enhanced erythropoiesis. We used mouse models of induced anemia, polycythemia vera and β-thalassemia in which macrophages were chemically depleted. Our data indicate that macrophages contribute decisively to recovery from induced anemia, as well as the pathological progression of polycythemia vera and β-thalassemia, by modulating erythroid proliferation and differentiation. We validated these observations in primary human cultures, showing a direct impact of macrophages on the proliferation and enucleation of erythroblasts from healthy individuals and patients with polycythemia vera or β-thalassemia. The contribution of macrophages to stress and pathological erythropoiesis, which we have termed stress erythropoiesis macrophage-supporting activity, may have therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ramos
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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15
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Green NS, Ender KL, Pashankar F, Driscoll C, Giardina PJ, Mullen CA, Clark LN, Manwani D, Crotty J, Kisselev S, Neville KA, Hoppe C, Barral S. Candidate sequence variants and fetal hemoglobin in children with sickle cell disease treated with hydroxyurea. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55709. [PMID: 23409025 PMCID: PMC3567082 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/29/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal hemoglobin level is a heritable complex trait that strongly correlates swith the clinical severity of sickle cell disease. Only few genetic loci have been identified as robustly associated with fetal hemoglobin in patients with sickle cell disease, primarily adults. The sole approved pharmacologic therapy for this disease is hydroxyurea, with effects largely attributable to induction of fetal hemoglobin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In a multi-site observational analysis of children with sickle cell disease, candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with baseline fetal hemoglobin levels in adult sickle cell disease were examined in children at baseline and induced by hydroxyurea therapy. For baseline levels, single marker analysis demonstrated significant association with BCL11A and the beta and epsilon globin loci (HBB and HBE, respectively), with an additive attributable variance from these loci of 23%. Among a subset of children on hydroxyurea, baseline fetal hemoglobin levels explained 33% of the variance in induced levels. The variant in HBE accounted for an additional 13% of the variance in induced levels, while variants in the HBB and BCL11A loci did not contribute beyond baseline levels. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE These findings clarify the overlap between baseline and hydroxyurea-induced fetal hemoglobin levels in pediatric disease. Studies assessing influences of specific sequence variants in these and other genetic loci in larger populations and in unusual hydroxyurea responders are needed to further understand the maintenance and therapeutic induction of fetal hemoglobin in pediatric sickle cell disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy S Green
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
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16
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Walter PB, Porter J, Evans P, Kwiatkowski JL, Neufeld EJ, Coates T, Giardina PJ, Grady RW, Vichinsky E, Olivieri N, Trachtenberg F, Alberti D, Fung E, Ames B, Higa A, Harmatz P. Increased leucocyte apoptosis in transfused β-thalassaemia patients. Br J Haematol 2012; 160:399-403. [PMID: 23216540 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This exploratory study assessed apoptosis in peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) from β-thalassaemia patients receiving chronic transfusions and chelation therapy (deferasirox or deferoxamine) at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months. At baseline, thalassaemic PBLs presented 50% greater levels of Bax (BAX), 75% higher caspase-3/7, 48% higher caspase-8 and 88% higher caspase-9 activities and 428% more nucleosomal DNA fragmentation than control subjects. Only neutrophils correlated significantly with apoptotic markers. Previously, we showed that over the treatment year, hepatic iron declined; we now show that the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 (BCL2), (-27·3%/year), and caspase-9 activity (-13·3%/year) declined in both treatment groups, suggesting that chelation decreases body iron and indicators of PBL apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick B Walter
- Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland, Oakland, CA 94609, USA
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17
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Grady RW, Galanello R, Randolph RE, Kleinert DA, Dessi C, Giardina PJ. Toward optimizing the use of deferasirox: potential benefits of combined use with deferoxamine. Haematologica 2012; 98:129-35. [PMID: 22875626 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2012.070607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with β-thalassemia require iron chelation therapy to protect against progressive iron overload and non-transferrin-bound iron. Some patients fail to respond adequately to deferoxamine and deferasirox monotherapy while others have side effects which limit their use of these drugs. Since combining deferiprone and deferoxamine has an additive effect, placing all patients into net negative iron balance, we investigated the possibility that combining deferasirox and deferoxamine would lead to similar results. We conducted 34-day metabolic iron balance studies in six patients in whom the relative effectiveness of deferasirox (30 mg/kg/day) and deferoxamine (40 mg/kg/day) was compared, alone and in combination. Patients consumed fixed low-iron diets; daily urinary and stool iron excretion were determined by atomic absorption. Red blood cell transfusions were given prior to each drug treatment to minimize the effects of ineffective erythropoiesis. Serial safety measures, hematologic parameters, serum chemistries, ferritin levels and urinalyses were determined. All patients were in negative iron balance when treated with deferoxamine alone while four of six patients remained in positive balance when deferasirox monotherapy was evaluated. Daily use of both drugs had a synergistic effect in two patients and an additive effect in three others. Five of six patients would be in negative iron balance if they used the combination of drugs just 3 days a week. No significant or drug-related changes were observed in the blood work-ups or urinalyses performed. We conclude that supplementing the daily use of deferasirox with 2 - 3 days of deferoxamine therapy would place all patients into net negative iron balance thereby providing a convenient way to tailor chelation therapy to the individual needs of each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert W Grady
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Trachtenberg F, Vichinsky E, Haines D, Pakbaz Z, Mednick L, Sobota A, Kwiatkowski J, Thompson AA, Porter J, Coates T, Giardina PJ, Olivieri N, Yamashita R, Neufeld EJ. Iron chelation adherence to deferoxamine and deferasirox in thalassemia. Am J Hematol 2011; 86:433-6. [PMID: 21523808 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.21993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The Thalassemia Clinical Research Network collected adherence information from 79 patients on deferoxamine and 186 on deferasirox from 2007 to 2009. Chelation adherence was defined as percent of doses administered in the last 4 weeks (patient report) out of those prescribed(chart review). Chelation history since 2002 was available for 97 patients currently on deferoxamine and 217 on deferasirox, with crude estimates of adherence from chart review. Self-reported adherence to both deferoxamine and deferasirox were quite high, with slightly higher adherence to the oral chelator (97 vs. 92%). Ninety percent of patients on deferasirox reported at least 90% adherence, compared with 75% of patients on deferoxamine. Adherence to both chelators was highest in children, followed by adolescents and older adults.Predictors of lower deferoxamine adherence were smoking in the past year, problems sticking themselves (adults only), problems wearing their pump, and fewer transfusions in the past year. Predictors of lower deferasirox adherence were bodily pain and depression. Switching chelators resulted in increased adherence, regardless of the direction of the switch, although switching from deferoxamine to deferasirox was far more common. As adherence to deferoxamine is higher than previously reported, it appears beneficial for patients to have a choice in chelators.
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19
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Quinn CT, Johnson VL, Kim HY, Trachtenberg F, Vogiatzi MG, Kwiatkowski JL, Neufeld EJ, Fung E, Oliveri N, Kirby M, Giardina PJ. Renal dysfunction in patients with thalassaemia. Br J Haematol 2011; 153:111-7. [PMID: 21332704 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2010.08477.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the effects of thalassaemia on the kidney. Characterization of underlying renal function abnormalities in thalassaemia is timely because the newer iron chelator, deferasirox, can be nephrotoxic. We aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of renal abnormalities in thalassaemia patients, treated before deferasirox was widely available, using 24-h collections of urine. We calculated creatinine clearance and urine calcium-to-creatinine ratio and measured urinary β(2) -microglobulin, albumin, and protein. We used multivariate modelling to identify clinical, therapeutic, and laboratory predictors of renal dysfunction. One-third of thalassaemia patients who were not regularly transfused had abnormally high creatinine clearance. Regular transfusions were associated with a decrease in clearance (P = 0·004). Almost one-third of patients with thalassaemia had hypercalciuria, and regular transfusions were associated with an increase in the frequency and degree of hypercalciuria (P < 0·0001). Albuminuria was found in over half of patients, but was not consistently associated with transfusion therapy. In summary, renal hyperfiltration, hypercalciuria, and albuminuria are common in thalassaemia. Higher transfusion intensity is associated with lower creatinine clearance but more frequent hypercalciuria. The transfusion effect needs to be better understood. Awareness of underlying renal dysfunction in thalassaemia can inform decisions now about the use and monitoring of iron chelation.
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20
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Sobota A, Yamashita R, Xu Y, Trachtenberg F, Kohlbry P, Kleinert DA, Giardina PJ, Kwiatkowski JL, Foote D, Thayalasuthan V, Porter JB, Thompson AA, Schilling L, Quinn CT, Neufeld EJ. Quality of life in thalassemia: a comparison of SF-36 results from the thalassemia longitudinal cohort to reported literature and the US norms. Am J Hematol 2011; 86:92-5. [PMID: 21061309 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.21896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Thalassemia is a chronic, inherited blood disorder, which, in its most severe form, causes life-threatening anemia. Advances in treatment have led to increased life expectancy however the need for chronic blood transfusions and chelation therapy remains a significant burden for patients. Our study compared health related quality of life (HRQOL) from the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network's (TCRNs) Thalassemia Longitudinal Cohort (TLC) study to US norms and assessed association with clinical variables. There were 264 patients over age 14 who completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF36v2) baseline assessment. When compared to US norms, TLC patients had statistically significant (P < 0.05) worse HRQOL on five of the eight subscales (physical functioning, role-physical, general health, social functioning, and role-emotional) and on both summary scales (physical component summary and mental component summary). Women, older patients, and those with more disease complications and side effects from chelation reported lower HRQOL. In general, adolescents and adults with thalassemia report worse HRQOL than the US population, despite contemporary therapy. The SF-36 should become a standard instrument for assessing HRQOL in thalassemia to determine predictors of low HRQOL which may be better addressed by a multidisciplinary team.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Sobota
- Children's Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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21
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Gardenghi S, Ramos P, Marongiu MF, Melchiori L, Breda L, Guy E, Muirhead K, Rao N, Roy CN, Andrews NC, Nemeth E, Follenzi A, An X, Mohandas N, Ginzburg Y, Rachmilewitz EA, Giardina PJ, Grady RW, Rivella S. Hepcidin as a therapeutic tool to limit iron overload and improve anemia in β-thalassemic mice. J Clin Invest 2010; 120:4466-77. [PMID: 21099112 DOI: 10.1172/jci41717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive iron absorption is one of the main features of β-thalassemia and can lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Serial analyses of β-thalassemic mice indicate that while hemoglobin levels decrease over time, the concentration of iron in the liver, spleen, and kidneys markedly increases. Iron overload is associated with low levels of hepcidin, a peptide that regulates iron metabolism by triggering degradation of ferroportin, an iron-transport protein localized on absorptive enterocytes as well as hepatocytes and macrophages. Patients with β-thalassemia also have low hepcidin levels. These observations led us to hypothesize that more iron is absorbed in β-thalassemia than is required for erythropoiesis and that increasing the concentration of hepcidin in the body of such patients might be therapeutic, limiting iron overload. Here we demonstrate that a moderate increase in expression of hepcidin in β-thalassemic mice limits iron overload, decreases formation of insoluble membrane-bound globins and reactive oxygen species, and improves anemia. Mice with increased hepcidin expression also demonstrated an increase in the lifespan of their red cells, reversal of ineffective erythropoiesis and splenomegaly, and an increase in total hemoglobin levels. These data led us to suggest that therapeutics that could increase hepcidin levels or act as hepcidin agonists might help treat the abnormal iron absorption in individuals with β-thalassemia and related disorders.
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22
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Pakbaz Z, Treadwell M, Kim HY, Trachtenberg F, Parmar N, Kwiatkowski JL, Cunningham MJ, Martin M, Sweeters N, Neufeld EJ, Giardina PJ, Olivieri N, Yamashita RC, Vichinsky E. Education and employment status of children and adults with thalassemia in North America. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010; 55:678-83. [PMID: 20535817 PMCID: PMC2932798 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in the management of thalassemia have resulted in increased life expectancy and new challenges. We conducted the first survey of education and employment status of people with thalassemia in North America. PROCEDURES A total of 633 patients (349 adults and 284 school age children) enrolled in the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network (TCRN) registry in Canada and the U.S. were included in the data analysis. Predictors considered for analysis were age, gender, race/ethnicity, site of treatment (Canada vs. United States), transfusion and chelation status, serum ferritin, and clinical complications. RESULTS Seventy percent of adults were employed of which 67% reported working full-time. Sixty percent had a college degree and 14% had achieved some post-college education. Eighty-two percent of school age children were at expected grade level. In a multivariate analysis for adults, Whites (OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.50-5.06) were more likely to be employed compared to Asians. Higher education in adults was associated with older age (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.29-2.15), female gender (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.32-3.23) and absence of lung disease (OR = 14.3, 95% CI: 2.04-100). Younger children (OR = 5.7 for 10-year increments, 95% CI: 2.0-16.7) and Canadian patients (OR = 5.6, 95% CI: 1.5-20) were more likely to be at the expected education level. Neither transfusion nor chelation was associated with lower employment or educational achievement. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with thalassemia in North America can achieve higher education; however, full-time employment remains a problem. Transfusion and chelation do not affect employment or education status of this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Pakbaz
- Hematology Oncology, Children's Hospital and Research Center Oakland, Oakland, California 94609, USA.
| | - Marsha Treadwell
- Hematology Oncology, Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland, 747 52nd street, Oakland, CA 94609
| | - Hae-Young Kim
- New England Research Institutes, 9 Galen street, Watertown, MA 02472
| | | | - Nagina Parmar
- Haematology Oncology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Janet L. Kwiatkowski
- Pediatrics Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3516 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Melody J. Cunningham
- Hematology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Children’s Hospital Boston, 332 North Lauderdale Street, Mail Stop 355, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Marie Martin
- Pediatrics Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3516 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Nancy Sweeters
- Hematology Oncology, Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland, 747 52nd street, Oakland, CA 94609
| | | | - Patricia J. Giardina
- Pediatrics-Hematology Oncology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, NY, NY 10065
| | | | | | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Hematology Oncology, Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland, 747 52nd street, Oakland, CA 94609
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23
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Mednick L, Yu S, Trachtenberg F, Xu Y, Kleinert DA, Giardina PJ, Kwiatkowski JL, Foote D, Thayalasuthan V, Porter JB, Thompson AA, Schilling L, Quinn CT, Neufeld EJ, Yamashita R. Symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with thalassemia: prevalence and correlates in the thalassemia longitudinal cohort. Am J Hematol 2010; 85:802-5. [PMID: 20806230 PMCID: PMC4251654 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.21826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder that requires lifelong adherence to a complicated and burdensome medical regimen which could potentially impact emotional functioning of patients. The importance of understanding and promoting healthy emotional functioning is crucial not only to psychological well-being, but also to physical health as it has been shown to impact adherence to medical regimens [1-4]. The current study aimed to [1] determine the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescent and adult patients with thalassemia; and [2] explore possible demographic, medical, and psychosocial correlates of these symptoms in 276 patients (14-58 years old, M age = 27.83; 52% female). Overall, most patients did not report experiencing significant symptoms of anxiety and depression (33% of participants indicated experiencing symptoms of anxiety and 11% symptoms of depression). Females and older patients were more likely to experience these symptoms than males and younger patients. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were positively associated with self-report of difficulty with adherence and negatively associated with quality of life. Given these findings, regular screening for anxiety and depression symptoms could help to identify at-risk individuals to provide them with appropriate psychological support with the goal of improving both emotional and physical health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yan Xu
- New England Research Institutes
| | | | | | | | - Dru Foote
- Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland
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Fung EB, Xu Y, Kwiatkowski J, Vogiatzi MG, Neufeld E, Olivieri N, Vichinsky EP, Giardina PJ. Relationship between chronic transfusion therapy and body composition in subjects with thalassemia. J Pediatr 2010; 157:641-7, 647.e1-2. [PMID: 20547400 PMCID: PMC2936667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.04.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2009] [Revised: 02/26/2010] [Accepted: 04/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To measure body composition in patients with thalassemia and explore its relationship to abnormal growth and bone mass. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a cross-sectional, multicenter study. Fat, lean, and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Medical history, food frequency, and physical activity questionnaires were conducted in 257 transfused patients with thalassemia (age, 23.7+/-11 years [mean+/-SD]; 51% male) compared with 113 non-transfused patients (21.3+/-13 years; 44% male). RESULTS Subjects with thalassemia were leaner compared with healthy American subjects from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III data. Transfused subjects had a higher percentage of body fat compared with non-transfused subjects after controlling for age, sex, and ethnicity; 11.8% of non-transfused pediatric subjects were considered underweight, significantly lower than National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (P=.03). Hemoglobin level was positively related to lean mass (P=.008). Body fat and lean mass were positive predictors for both height and BMD z-scores after adjustment for transfusion status, age, sex, ethnicity, calcium intake, and physical activity (all P<.001). CONCLUSION Although most adult patients with thalassemia had healthy body composition with rare obesity, young non-transfused patients appear at risk for being underweight. Optimizing physical activity and appropriate use of transfusion therapy may improve growth and bone health in these patients who are at-risk for being underweight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen B. Fung
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital & Research Center, Oakland, CA
| | - Yan Xu
- New England Research Institutes, Inc., Watertown, MA
| | - Janet Kwiatkowski
- Division of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Ellis Neufeld
- Department of Hematology, Children’s Hospital of Boston, MA
| | - Nancy Olivieri
- Department of Hematology, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario Canada
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Abstract
Patients with thalassemia major accumulate body iron over time as a consequence of continuous red blood cell transfusions which cause hepatic, endocrine, and cardiac complications. Despite the availability of three iron chelators, some patients fail to respond adequately to monotherapy with any of them. Combination therapy, consisting in the use of two chelators on the same day, has been introduced to increase the efficacy and to induce negative iron balance in patients with severe iron overload. Extensive long-term experience has shown that combined chelation with deferiprone and deferoxamine (DFO) rapidly reduces liver iron, serum ferritin, and myocardial siderosis, improves cardiac function, reverses and prevents endocrine complications, reduces cardiac mortality, and improves survival. Side effects, though significant, are manageable if properly monitored. Preliminary promising results have been obtained using combined chelation with deferasirox and DFO. As more drug combination regimes are evaluated, it should be possible to better tailor iron chelation to the needs of the patients, minimizing toxicity and maximizing efficacy throughout life.
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Breda L, Kleinert DA, Casu C, Casula L, Cartegni L, Fibach E, Mancini I, Giardina PJ, Gambari R, Rivella S. A preclinical approach for gene therapy of beta-thalassemia. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2010; 1202:134-40. [PMID: 20712784 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05594.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lentiviral-mediated beta-globin gene transfer successfully treated beta-thalassemic mice. Based on this result, clinical trials were initiated. To date, however, no study has investigated the efficacy of gene therapy in relation to the nature of the different beta-globin mutations found in patients. Most mutations can be classified as beta(0) or beta(+), based on the amount of beta-globin protein produced. Therefore, we propose that a screening in vitro is necessary to verify the efficacy of gene transfer prior to treatment of individual patients. We used a two-phase liquid culture system to expand and differentiate erythroid progenitor cells (ErPCs) transduced with lentiviral vectors. We propose the use of this system to test the efficiency of lentiviral vectors carrying the human beta-globin gene, to correct the phenotype of ErPCs from patients preparing for gene therapy. This new approach might have profound implications for designing gene therapy and for understanding the genotype/phenotype variability observed in Cooley's anemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Breda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Children's Blood and Cancer Foundation Laboratories, New York, New York, USA
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27
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Abstract
Hepcidin (HAMP) negatively regulates iron absorption, degrading the iron exporter ferroportin at the level of enterocytes and macrophages. We showed that mice with beta-thalassemia intermedia (th3/+) have increased anemia and iron overload. However, their hepcidin expression is relatively low compared to their iron burden. We also showed that the iron metabolism gene Hfe is down-regulated in concert with hepcidin in th3/+ mice. These observations suggest that low hepcidin levels are responsible for abnormal iron absorption in thalassemic mice and that down-regulation of Hfe might be involved in the pathway that controls hepcidin synthesis in beta-thalassemia. Therefore, these studies suggest that increasing hepcidin and/or Hfe expression could be a strategy to reduces iron overload in these animals. The goal of this paper is to review recent findings that correlate hepcidin, Hfe, and iron metabolism in beta-thalassemia and to discuss potential novel therapeutic approaches based on these recent discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gardenghi
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Cancer and Blood Foundation Laboratories, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, USA
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Vogiatzi MG, Tsay J, Verdelis K, Rivella S, Grady RW, Doty S, Giardina PJ, Boskey AL. Changes in bone microarchitecture and biomechanical properties in the th3 thalassemia mouse are associated with decreased bone turnover and occur during the period of bone accrual. Calcif Tissue Int 2010; 86:484-94. [PMID: 20449578 PMCID: PMC2917203 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-010-9365-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2009] [Accepted: 03/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Osteoporosis and fractures occur frequently in patients with beta-thalassemias, a group of congenital hemolytic anemias characterized by decreased synthesis of the beta chain of hemoglobin. In this study, we determined the bone abnormalities of the th3 thalassemia mouse, generated by deletion of the mouse beta-chain genes. The heterozygous th3/+ mouse has moderate anemia and serves as a model of beta-thalassemia intermedia, which represents the mild thalassemia phenotype. The th3/th3 mouse has lethal anemia and is a model of beta-thalassemia major, which is characterized by life-threatening anemia requiring regular transfusions to sustain life. Compared to controls, (1) microCT of trabecular bone showed decreased bone volume fraction, number of trabeculae, and trabecular thickness in both th3/+ and th3/th3 (P < 0.05); (2) cortical bone analysis showed thinner cortices and increased marrow area in th3/+ (P < 0.05); (3) microCT abnormalities in th3/+ mice were present by 2 months and did not worsen with age; (4) histomorphometry was significant for decreased bone formation and resorption in both th3/+ and th3/th3, and expression of cathepsin K and osteocalcin from bone of both th3/+ and th3/th3 animals was reduced (P < 0.05); (5) biomechanics showed reduced maximum load, maximum moment, and structural stiffness in both th3/+ and th3/th3 (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the th3 mouse model of thalassemia manifests bone changes reminiscent of those in humans and can be used for further bone studies in thalassemia. Bone changes are associated with decreased bone turnover and develop early during the period of bone accrual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Vogiatzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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29
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Trachtenberg F, Foote D, Martin M, Carson S, Coates T, Beams O, Vega O, Merelles-Pulcini M, Giardina PJ, Kleinert DA, Kwiatkowski J, Thompson AA, Neufeld EJ, Schilling L, Thayalasuthan V, Pakbaz Z, Yamashita R. Pain as an emergent issue in thalassemia. Am J Hematol 2010; 85:367-70. [PMID: 20232403 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.21670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Arinsburg SA, Skerrett DL, Kleinert D, Giardina PJ, Cushing MM. The significance of a positive DAT in thalassemia patients. Immunohematology 2010; 26:87-91. [PMID: 21214294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The DAT is performed for the detection of antibody or complement on the surface of RBCs. Our institution previously performed DATs on all chronically transfused thalassemia patients before each transfusion episode to detect early alloimmunization. The medical records of all thalassemia patients treated at our institution from 2004 to 2007 were reviewed to determine the significance of the high rate of positive DATs (52.5% of 80 patients). The majority of IgG-reactive DATs were associated with a nonreactive eluate (65.4% of 286 eluates performed). A positive DAT was significantly associated with splenectomy (χ² = 15.4; p < 0.001), elevated IgG levels (χ² = 26.8; p < 0.001), HCV (χ² = 20.7; p < 0.001), and warm autoantibody (χ² = 5.87; p = 0.03). Multivariate analysis revealed that only HCV (OR, 5.0; p = 0.037) and elevated IgG levels (OR, 9.0; p = 0.001) were independently associated with a positive DAT. Alloimmunized thalassemic patients were more likely to have a positive DAT than nonalloimmunized patients, but this association was not significant (OR, 2.2; p = 0.11). A positive DAT did not correlate with decreased response to transfusion, RBC survival, hemolysis, or increased transfusion requirements. Only two cases of early alloimmunization were detected by DAT among 288 DAT-positive samples studied during 4 years. This study demonstrated that the routine performance of DATs on pretransfusion specimens in thalassemic patients has limited clinical utility, and the elimination of this test will improve turnaround time and decrease costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Arinsburg
- New York Blood Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Professional Education, New York, NY, USA
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31
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Singer ST, Kim HY, Olivieri NF, Kwiatkowski JL, Coates TD, Carson S, Neufeld E, Cunningham MJ, Giardina PJ, Mueller BU, Quinn CT, Fung E, Vichinsky E. Hemoglobin H-constant spring in North America: an alpha thalassemia with frequent complications. Am J Hematol 2009; 84:759-61. [PMID: 19787795 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.21523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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32
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Vogiatzi MG, Macklin EA, Trachtenberg FL, Fung EB, Cheung AM, Vichinsky E, Olivieri N, Kirby M, Kwiatkowski JL, Cunningham M, Holm IA, Fleisher M, Grady RW, Peterson CM, Giardina PJ. Differences in the prevalence of growth, endocrine and vitamin D abnormalities among the various thalassaemia syndromes in North America. Br J Haematol 2009; 146:546-56. [PMID: 19604241 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07793.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine differences in the rates of growth, endocrine- and calcium-related abnormalities in the various thalassemia syndromes in North America treated with current therapies. Medical history, physical examinations and blood and urine collections were obtained from patients with all thalassemia syndromes age 6 years and older in the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network. 361 subjects, 49% male, mean age 23.2 years (range 6.1-75 years) were studied. Approximately 25% of children and adults, regardless of the thalassemia syndrome, had short stature. Overall growth in children was mildly affected. Final height was close to midparental height (z = -0.73 +/- 1.24). Patients with beta thalassemia major (TM) had higher rates of hypogonadism, multiple endocrinopathies, worse hyperglycaemia, subclinical hypoparathyroidism and hypercalciuria. Hypogonadism remained the most frequent endocrinopathy and was frequently under-treated. 12.8% of the subjects had 25 vitamin D concentrations less than 27 nmol/l and 82% less than 75 nmol/l, regardless of the thalassemia syndrome. Adolescents had lower 25 vitamin D levels than children and adults. Compared to patients with other thalassemia syndromes, those with beta TM suffered from higher rates of multiple endocrinopathies, abnormal calcium metabolism and hypercalciuria. Vitamin D abnormalities were high among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Vogiatzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology, New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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33
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Vogiatzi MG, Macklin EA, Fung EB, Cheung AM, Vichinsky E, Olivieri N, Kirby M, Kwiatkowski JL, Cunningham M, Holm IA, Lane J, Schneider R, Fleisher M, Grady RW, Peterson CC, Giardina PJ. Bone disease in thalassemia: a frequent and still unresolved problem. J Bone Miner Res 2009; 24:543-57. [PMID: 18505376 PMCID: PMC3276604 DOI: 10.1359/jbmr.080505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2007] [Revised: 05/12/2008] [Accepted: 05/13/2008] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Adults with beta thalassemia major frequently have low BMD, fractures, and bone pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of low BMD, fractures, and bone pain in all thalassemia syndromes in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, associations of BMD with fractures and bone pain, and etiology of bone disease in thalassemia. Patients of all thalassemia syndromes in the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network, > or =6 yr of age, with no preexisting medical condition affecting bone mass or requiring steroids, participated. We measured spine and femur BMD and whole body BMC by DXA and assessed vertebral abnormalities by morphometric X-ray absorptiometry (MXA). Medical history by interview and review of medical records, physical examinations, and blood and urine collections were performed. Three hundred sixty-one subjects, 49% male, with a mean age of 23.2 yr (range, 6.1-75 yr), were studied. Spine and femur BMD Z-scores < -2 occurred in 46% and 25% of participants, respectively. Greater age, lower weight, hypogonadism, and increased bone turnover were strong independent predictors of low bone mass regardless of thalassemia syndrome. Peak bone mass was suboptimal. Thirty-six percent of patients had a history of fractures, and 34% reported bone pain. BMD was negatively associated with fractures but not with bone pain. Nine percent of participants had uniformly decreased height of several vertebrae by MXA, which was associated with the use of iron chelator deferoxamine before 6 yr of age. In patients with thalassemia, low BMD and fractures occur frequently and independently of the particular syndrome. Peak bone mass is suboptimal. Low BMD is associated with hypogonadism, increased bone turnover, and an increased risk for fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Vogiatzi
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Medical College of Cornell, New York, New York, USA.
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Harmatz P, Jonas MM, Kwiatkowski JL, Wright EC, Fischer R, Vichinsky E, Giardina PJ, Neufeld EJ, Porter J, Olivieri N. Safety and efficacy of pegylated interferon -2a and ribavirin for the treatment of hepatitis C in patients with thalassemia. Haematologica 2008; 93:1247-51. [PMID: 18556414 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.12352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paul Harmatz
- Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland, 747 52 Street, Oakland, CA 94609, USA.
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35
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Walter PB, Macklin EA, Porter J, Evans P, Kwiatkowski JL, Neufeld EJ, Coates T, Giardina PJ, Vichinsky E, Olivieri N, Alberti D, Holland J, Harmatz P. Inflammation and oxidant-stress in beta-thalassemia patients treated with iron chelators deferasirox (ICL670) or deferoxamine: an ancillary study of the Novartis CICL670A0107 trial. Haematologica 2008; 93:817-25. [PMID: 18469351 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.11755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We assessed whether oxidant-stress and inflammation in beta-thalassemia could be controlled by the novel oral iron chelator deferasirox as effectively as by deferoxamine. DESIGN AND METHODS Forty-nine subjects were enrolled from seven sites and studied at baseline, and after 1, 6, and 12 months of therapy. Malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, vitamins E and C, total non-transferrin bound iron, transferrin saturation, C-reactive protein, cytokines, serum ferritin concentration and liver iron concentration were measured. RESULTS Liver iron concentration and ferritin declined significantly in both treatment groups during the study. This paralleled a significant decline in the oxidative-stress marker malondialdehyde (deferasirox -22%/year, deferoxamine -28%/year, average decline p=0.006). The rates of decline did not differ between treatment groups. Malondialdehyde was higher in both treatment groups than in a group of 30 non-thalassemic controls (p < 0.001). The inflammatory marker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein decreased significantly only in the group receiving deferasirox (deferasirox -51%/year, deferoxamine +8.5%/year, p = 0.02). This result was confounded by a chance difference in the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein between the two groups at baseline, but analyses controlling for this difference suggested an equally large treatment effect. CONCLUSIONS Iron chelation therapy with deferoxamine or with deferasirox was equally effective in decreasing iron burden and malondialdehyde. The possible differential effect of the two chelators on inflammation warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick B Walter
- Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland, 747 52nd Street, Oakland, CA 94609, USA
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Gardenghi S, Marongiu MF, Ramos P, Guy E, Breda L, Chadburn A, Liu Y, Amariglio N, Rechavi G, Rachmilewitz EA, Breuer W, Cabantchik ZI, Wrighting DM, Andrews NC, de Sousa M, Giardina PJ, Grady RW, Rivella S. Ineffective erythropoiesis in beta-thalassemia is characterized by increased iron absorption mediated by down-regulation of hepcidin and up-regulation of ferroportin. Blood 2007; 109:5027-35. [PMID: 17299088 PMCID: PMC1885515 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2006-09-048868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive iron overload is the most salient and ultimately fatal complication of beta-thalassemia. However, little is known about the relationship among ineffective erythropoiesis (IE), the role of iron-regulatory genes, and tissue iron distribution in beta-thalassemia. We analyzed tissue iron content and iron-regulatory gene expression in the liver, duodenum, spleen, bone marrow, kidney, and heart of mice up to 1 year old that exhibit levels of iron overload and anemia consistent with both beta-thalassemia intermedia (th3/+) and major (th3/th3). Here we show, for the first time, that tissue and cellular iron distribution are abnormal and different in th3/+ and th3/th3 mice, and that transfusion therapy can rescue mice affected by beta-thalassemia major and modify both the absorption and distribution of iron. Our study reveals that the degree of IE dictates tissue iron distribution and that IE and iron content regulate hepcidin (Hamp1) and other iron-regulatory genes such as Hfe and Cebpa. In young th3/+ and th3/th3 mice, low Hamp1 levels are responsible for increased iron absorption. However, in 1-year-old th3/+ animals, Hamp1 levels rise and it is rather the increase of ferroportin (Fpn1) that sustains iron accumulation, thus revealing a fundamental role of this iron transporter in the iron overload of beta-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Gardenghi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Children's Blood Foundation Laboratories, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 515E 71st Street S702, New York, NY 10021, USA
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37
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Breda L, Gardenghi S, Guy E, Rachmilewitz EA, Weizer-Stern O, Adamsky K, Amariglio N, Rechavi G, Giardina PJ, Grady RW, Rivella S. Exploring the Role of Hepcidin, an Antimicrobial and Iron Regulatory Peptide, in Increased Iron Absorption in β-Thalassemia. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2005; 1054:417-22. [PMID: 16339690 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1345.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
To develop new treatments for beta-thalassemia, it is essential to identify the genes involved in the relevant pathophysiological processes. Iron metabolism in thalassemia mice being investigated, focusing on the expression of a gene called hepcidin (Hamp), which is expressed in the liver and whose product (Hamp) is secreted into the bloodstream. In mice, iron overload leads to overexpression of Hamp, while Hamp-knockout mice suffer from hemochromatosis. The aim of this study is to investigate Hamp in the mouse model of beta-thalassemia and to address the potential gene transfer of Hamp to prevent abnormal iron absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Breda
- Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Children's Blood Foundation Laboratories, New York, New York 10021, USA
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Abstract
The pervasiveness of low bone mass (LBM) in beta-thalassemia (Thal) patients (pts) is escalating as the average life expectancy of these pts increases. Adolescence is a period of substantial bone accrual, which is crucial for future bone strength. Studies of LBM are prevalent among adults with Thal. However, limited information exists about bone accrual and LBM in adolescents with the disease. Thirty-one pts with beta-Thal (26 Thal major [TM], 5 Thal intermedia [TI]), aged 9-20 years (mean: 15.3 years), 14 males and 17 females, underwent measurement of spinal bone mineral density (BMD) by DEXA (Lunar, Prodigy). Height, weight, body mass index, and Tanner stage were assessed at the time of the BMD measurement. A total of 16.1% of the patients had normal bone mass (Z > or = -1), 22.6% had reduced bone mass (Z = -1 to -2), and 61.3% had low bone mass (Z < or = -2). BMD Z correlated with height and weight Z scores. Some 53.9% of subjects had normal gonadal function and 46.1% had induced puberty with gonadal steroids. BMD Z significantly worsened with age (P < .0001). However, there was no difference in the LBM prevalence between subjects with normal versus those with induced puberty: BMD Z was -2 or less in 71.4% of subjects with normal puberty versus 66.7% in those with induced puberty. Our results indicate a high prevalence of LBM among adolescents with Thal regardless of adequate transfusion and chelation regimens. Bone accrual was found to be suboptimal in adolescents with normal or induced puberty. Thus, calcium and vitamin D supplementation with antiresorptive therapies should be evaluated in the adolescent Thal pt with close monitoring of growth and sexual development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Vogiatzi
- Department of Pediatrics, New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA
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Vogiatzi MG, Autio KA, Schneider R, Giardina PJ. Low bone mass in prepubertal children with thalassemia major: insights into the pathogenesis of low bone mass in thalassemia. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2004; 17:1415-21. [PMID: 15526720 DOI: 10.1515/jpem.2004.17.10.1415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Low bone mass occurs frequently in the aging thalassemic population. However, limited information exists on bone mass in children with thalassemia major (TM) during their first decade of life. STUDY DESIGN Spinal bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 18 children (age 5.8 +/- 1.5 yr; M:F 8:10) with TM on hypertransfusion and iron chelation therapy. Serial BMD measurements were available for 11 of the 18 children. RESULTS Weight and height z scores were 0.81 +/- 4.2 and -0.47 +/- 1.7 respectively. At the first BMD, four (22.2%) patients presented with BMD z scores less than -2.5, seven (38.8%) had BMD z scores between -1 and -2.5, while the remaining seven (38.8%) had normal BMDs (z score above -1). The mean decline of BMD z score was -0.38/year (p = ns). BMD z scores correlated with height z scores (p = 0.039), but not with liver enzymes, serum ferritin levels, or thalassemia genotypes. CONCLUSIONS Low bone mass is present in most children with TM despite hypertransfusion and optimal chelation, adequate growth and lack of endocrine complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Vogiatzi
- Department of Pediatrics, The New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University, NY, USA
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40
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Nisbet-Brown E, Olivieri NF, Giardina PJ, Grady RW, Neufeld EJ, Séchaud R, Krebs-Brown AJ, Anderson JR, Alberti D, Sizer KC, Nathan DG. Effectiveness and safety of ICL670 in iron-loaded patients with thalassaemia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation trial. Lancet 2003; 361:1597-602. [PMID: 12747879 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(03)13309-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 259] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transfusional iron overload is a potentially fatal complication of the treatment of thalassaemia. We aimed to investigate short-term efficacy, pharmacokinetic/pharma- codynamic (PK/PD) relations, and safety of ICL670, a novel, tridentate, orally active iron chelator. METHODS We enrolled 24 patients and divided them into three cohorts consisting of a minimum of seven individuals. Patients were admitted to a metabolic unit and consumed a diet with a defined content of iron. Two patients in each cohort were randomly allocated placebo. Five or more patients received one daily dose of ICL670 at 10, 20, or 40 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1), from day 1 to 12. Net iron excretion (NIE) was measured between days 1 and 12. Primary objectives included assessment of safety and tolerability (measured by adverse events and clinical laboratory monitoring), pharmacokinetics (measured as drug and drug-iron complex), and cumulative net iron excretion (measured by faecal and urine output minus food input). Analysis was for efficacy. FINDINGS ICL670 was absorbed promptly and was detectable in the blood for 24 h. Exposure (area under the curve of plasma concentration) to ICL670 at pharmacokinetic steady state was proportional to dose. All three doses resulted in positive NIE. The NIE achieved at 20mg x kg(-1) day(-1) would prevent net iron accumulation in most patients transfused with 12-15 mL packed red-blood-cells kg(-1) month(-1), equivalent to 0.3-0.5 mg iron kg(-1) x day(-1). A linear relation (PK/PD) was recorded between exposure to ICL670 and total iron excretion, by contrast with placebo (r2=0.54, p<0.0001). Skin rashes were noted in four patients treated at 20 and 40 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1), and one patient also developed grade 2 transaminitis. INTERPRETATION ICL670 given once daily at 20 mg/kg seems to be an effective orally active iron chelator and is reasonably well tolerated. Long-term studies are now necessary to establish the practical contribution of this drug.
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Abstract
Iron chelation therapy with desferrioxamine (DFO) has dramatically improved the outlook in beta-thalassemia. Parenteral DFO reduces tissue iron stores, prevents iron-induced organ damage, and reduces morbidity and mortality, with little serious toxicity. However, the burden of prolonged subcutaneous portable pump infusions, high cost, and patient noncompliance have prompted the development of new methods of administration and new formulations of DFO as well as oral iron chelators. Deferiprone (L1), the only oral iron chelator studied in large long-term clinical trials, is less effective and more toxic than DFO and may not adequately control iron overload; however, compliance and quality of life are improved. Combinations of two iron chelators (such as parenteral DFO plus oral L1, or 2,3-DHB; or oral L1 plus HBED) have been shown to produce additive and synergistic effects, explained by the shuttle hypothesis. Iron bound to a "shuttle"--an oral agent that mobilizes tissue iron--is exchanged in the bloodstream with a "sink"--such as parenteral DFO--and excreted via the kidneys, while the shuttle is reutilized. Combination therapy may produce enhanced iron excretion, target specific iron compartments, minimize side effects, increase treatment options, improve compliance, and facilitate individualization of therapy. Better understanding of the kinetics of iron metabolism, iron overload, and chelation should improve therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Giardina
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, The New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Cunningham-Rundles S, Giardina PJ, Grady RW, Califano C, McKenzie P, De Sousa M. Effect of transfusional iron overload on immune response. J Infect Dis 2000; 182 Suppl 1:S115-21. [PMID: 10944493 DOI: 10.1086/315919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased susceptibility to infectious disease is observed in persons with transfusion-dependent thalassemia and iron overload who experience increased exposure to pathogens and chronic immune stimulation. An abnormal low CD8(+) T (LT8) immune phenotype defines a subgroup of patients. The CD8(+) T cell immunophenotype is stable despite continued blood transfusion and is independent of age. CD8(+) T cells, but not CD4(+) T cells, were modulated during intravenous chelation with deferoxamine. Return to characteristic pretreatment levels of CD8 was observed in both the low and the normal groups, suggesting the possibility of a set point. Proliferative response to mitogens and antigens was increased by chelation. Because CD8(+) T cells are important in immune response to infectious disease, these studies suggest that intrinsic CD8(+) T cell subset differences may be a critical factor in determining susceptibility to infection independent of transfusional iron overload or alloantigen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cunningham-Rundles
- Immunology, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Dept. of Pediatrics, New York-Presbyterian Hospital Cornell University Medical Center, New York, New York 10021, USA.
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Grady RW, Giardina PJ. Iron chelation with oral deferiprone in patients with thalassemia. N Engl J Med 1998; 339:1712-3; author reply 1713-4. [PMID: 9867541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Abstract
Until recently, Thalassemia Major was considered a fatal disease and patients did not usually live into adulthood. Advances in the medical management of the disease have greatly increased the life expectancy of these patients. The present study aims to evaluate the future orientation and other aspects of psychosocial functioning of thalassemics compared to healthy controls. Thirty patients and 33 healthy subjects of similar age, ethnicity, education, and geographic area were compared on measures of future expectations, perceived social support, life orientation, health locus of control and hopelessness. Results show no significant differences between thalassemics and controls on all measures except for higher levels of internal health locus of control among the patient group. Results and implications of perceptions of thalassemics' future orientation relevant to patient care are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bush
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York 10021, USA
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Calleja EM, Shen JY, Lesser M, Grady RW, New MI, Giardina PJ. Survival and morbidity in transfusion-dependent thalassemic patients on subcutaneous desferrioxamine chelation. Nearly two decades of experience. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1998; 850:469-70. [PMID: 9668587 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1998.tb10524.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E M Calleja
- Division of Pediatric Hematology, New York Hospital/Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE We report a reversible sensorimotor neurotixicity that developed in two beta-thalassemic patients treated with high-dose deferoxamine (DFO) for iron overload. METHODS Two patients were treated with high-dose (120 mg/kg/day) intravenous DFO for iron overload. RESULTS Sensorimotor toxicity developed after 5 and 6 months of treatment, respectively. The development of the neurotoxicity did not correlate with the serum ferritin or the ratio of DFO dose to serum ferritin. Symptoms resolved in both patients with discontinuation of DFO treatment. In 1 patient, symptoms recurred with resumption of DFO treatment. CONCLUSIONS These cases demonstrate that a reversible sensorimotor neurotoxicity, a previously unreported toxicity, may complicate DFO therapy, this complements the previously reported auditory and visual neurotoxicity associated with DFO therapy. Discontinuation of therapy at the time of onset of neurotoxicity is recommended, with possible resumption at lower doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Levine
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, NY 10021, USA
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Abstract
Thalassemias occur in individuals of all ethnic backgrounds and are among the most common genetic diseases worldwide. The diagnosis of thalassemia can easily be part of primary medical practice. Here we outline a practical approach to the detection of thalassemias in three common clinical settings. The first involves any patient with a low mean corpuscular volume (MCV) with or without anemia. The second is a neonatal screening result indicating possible presence of thalassemia. Finally, evaluation for thalassemia should be considered in the context of family planning or pregnancy in patients whose ethnicity indicates origin from high risk geographic areas. We also review the various types of the thalassemia syndromes and provide an overview of general therapeutic considerations.
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Pearson HA, Cohen AR, Giardina PJ, Kazazian HH. The changing profile of homozygous beta-thalassemia: demography, ethnicity, and age distribution of current North American patients and changes in two decades. Pediatrics 1996; 97:352-6. [PMID: 8604269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The age of patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia is increasing because of better treatment and decreased births. A countering influence is immigration of ethnic groups with a high prevalence of thalassemia. METHODS a questionnaire sent to 48 North American centers requested information about current patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia: age, clinical severity, and ethnicity. An 83% response was obtained. Twelve reference hospitals that participated in similar surveys in 1972 and 1984 were included. RESULTS Five hundred eighteen patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia represent most North American patients. Four hundred forty-three (86%) of these had transfusion-dependent thalassemia major (TM); 75 (14%) had thalassemia intermedia (TI). Sixty-two percent were of Greek and Italian ancestry. There were approximately equal numbers of patients with TM in 5-year intervals between 0 and 25 years of age. Thereafter, the numbers of patients fell sharply. The mean age (+/- SD) of the patients with TM was 16.1 +/- 9.2 years. Striking differences were seen in Italian and Greek patients compared with those of other ancestries. Sixty-six percent of the 271 Italian and Greek patients with TM were older than 16 years of age, whereas 77% of the 172 patients of other ethnic groups with TM were younger than 15 years of age. The mean age of the 75 patients with TI was greater than that of the patients with TM. Seventy-three percent of African-American patients had TI, compared with 0% of Southeastern Asian patients. Comparisons of patients with TM from the 12 reference hospitals for two decades show increasing mean ages of TM patients (1973, 11.4 +/- 6.7 years; 1985, 14/2 +/- 7.3 years; and 1993, 16.1 +/- 9.2 years). CONCLUSIONS There are probably only 750 to 1000 patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia in North America. Only about 15 to 20 new cases are diagnosed each year. The increasing mean age and age distribution indicate that modern therapies are effective, but immigration of non-Mediterranean ethnic groups with thalassemia has resulted in more, younger patients. TM is increasingly becoming a disease of young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Pearson
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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Giardina PJ, Grady RW. Chelation therapy in beta-thalassemia: the benefits and limitations of desferrioxamine. Semin Hematol 1995; 32:304-12. [PMID: 8560288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In summary, long-term studies of DFO therapy in multiply-transfused patients with beta-thalassemia major have clearly shown it to be generally safe and effective. Appropriate use of DFO can remove excess iron, prevent iron-induced organ damage, and improve survival in thalassemia patients. Patients who begin treatment at a young age can be protected from the lethal complications of iron overload for at least two decades, but chelation therapy may not always prevent or ameliorate late growth failure and/or delayed or absent puberty. Those with iron damage to the heart and possibly other organs may experience stability or improvement in function with intense chelation. High-dose intravenous DFO produces a rapid decrease in hepatic iron content and improved cardiac function but can also cause severe toxicity, as can normal doses in patients with a low iron burden. Continuing studies of DFO are necessary to help further define its long-term efficacy and toxicity. In particular, significant attention should be paid to new strategies aimed at fostering improved compliance with its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- P J Giardina
- Department of Pediatrics, Cornell University Medical Center, New York, NY 10021, USA
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