Treatment of beta-thalassemia with hydroxyurea (HU)--effects of HU on globin gene expression.
A newly developed method of RT-PCR/competitive PCR for measuring the relative and absolute content of globin mRNAs as well as micro-globin chain biosynthetic assay have been used to study the alterations of globin gene expressions in the patients with beta-thalassemia pre- and post-hydroxyurea (HU) treatment. It was found for the first time that HU had the effect of enhancing beta-globin gene expression in some patients. Two cases with beta-thalassemia who were subjected to HU treatment for over two years showed a marked increase in beta-globin mRNA level and beta-globin chain synthesis, resulting in more effective erythropoiesis and the alleviation of clinical symptoms.
Huang
S Z
SZ
Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, PRC.
Ren
Z R
ZR
Chen
M J
MJ
Xu
H P
HP
Zeng
Y T
YT
Rodgers
G P
GP
Zeng
F Y
FY
Schechter
A N
AN
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics
D006454:Hemoglobins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005914:Globins; D006918:Hydroxyurea