Totadri S, Bansal D, Bhatia P, Attri SV, Trehan A, Marwaha RK. The deferiprone and deferasirox combination is efficacious in iron overloaded patients with β-thalassemia major: A prospective, single center, open-label study.
Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;
62:1592-6. [PMID:
25820920 DOI:
10.1002/pbc.25533]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The high cost, coupled with the need for continuous infusion, renders Desferrioxamine (DFO), a non-feasible option for iron-chelation in a large majority of patients with β-thalassemia major in developing countries. Monotherapy with deferiprone (DFP) or deferasirox (DFX) may not always attain optimal control, particularly in heavily iron-loaded patients. Combination of DFP and DFX is a potential alternative.
PROCEDURE
A prospective, single-center, open-label, uncontrolled study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination in patients with β-thalassemia major. Patients who had received either DFP or DFX for >1 year and a serum ferritin >2,000 μg/L were enrolled. Blood counts, liver/renal functions, and serum ferritin were monitored during the 1-year study period. Facilities for cardiac T2*-MRI were unavailable.
RESULTS
Thirty-six patients with a mean age of 13 ± 6.9 years (range: 4-29) and a ferritin of 6,768 ± 4,145 μg/L formed the study cohort. Eight (22%) patients had transient gastrointestinal adverse effects. DFX was discontinued in one patient for persistent abdominal pain/diarrhea. Eight (22%) had joint symptoms; DFP was discontinued in two. Four (11%) patients had elevation in AST/ALT levels, managed with temporary interruption of DFX. Nine (25%) had an inconsistent elevation of creatinine to >33% of baseline; no intervention was done. One had transient proteinuria. None had neutropenia. At the end of 1 year, the serum ferritin reduced by a mean value of 3,275.3 ± 618.2 μg/L (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The oral combination was found to be safe, efficacious, and a feasible option in patients with suboptimal response to monotherapy.
Collapse