title: Emerging understanding of the advantage of small molecules such as hydroxypyridinones in the treatment of iron overload.
abstract: Deferiprone, a hydroxypyridin-4-one, is effective at facilitating iron removal from iron overloaded patients, when administered orally. Some problems associated with deferiprone are discussed. Hydroxypyridinone analogues with improved distribution, metabolism and affinity for iron are described. In particular the "high pFe(3+)" hydroxypyridin-4-ones possess considerable clinical potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, King's College London, UK. robert.hider@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Hider
authors.forename: Zu D
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011728:Pyridones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D011728:Pyridones; D007501:Iron