title: Treatment of beta-thalassemia with hydroxyurea (HU)--effects of HU on globin gene expression.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Institute of Medical Genetics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, PRC.
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Z R
authors.initials: ZR
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Schechter
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005914:Globins; D006918:Hydroxyurea