Correction of anemia in a transfusion-dependent patient with primary myelofibrosis receiving iron chelation therapy with deferasirox (Exjade, ICL670).
Transfusional iron overload in patients with chronic anemias can result in multiple organ failure. Experience in the management of iron overload in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes is limited, as many do not receive chelation therapy due to short-life expectancy and the difficulties associated with the administration of the current reference standard chelator, deferoxamine. There have, however, been some reports of reduced transfusion requirement associated with chelation therapy in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and myelofibrosis. Here, we discuss a patient with primary myelofibrosis and related transfusion-dependent anemia who received chelation therapy with the once-daily oral iron chelator, deferasirox. In addition to the reduced iron levels, the patient demonstrated an unexpected reduction in blood transfusion requirement, ultimately resulting in long-lasting transfusion-free survival.
Di Tucci
Anna Angela
AA
Unità Operativa Ematologia e Centro Trapianti Midollo Osseo, Ospedale Oncologico Armando Businco, Cagliari, Italy.
Murru
Roberta
R
Alberti
Daniele
D
Rabault
Bertrand
B
Deplano
Simona
S
Angelucci
Emanuele
E
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055728:Primary Myelofibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*
D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D003676:Deferoxamine