title: Iron chelation therapy for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.
abstract: Chronic blood transfusions are necessary for patients with hereditary anemia such as thalassemia, and for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who become anemic and transfusion-dependent. A common consequence of chronic transfusion is iron accumulation that can lead to organ damage. While there is general agreement regarding the value of iron chelation therapy to reduce the detrimental effects of iron overload in thalassemia major, the same is not true for MDS. The malignant nature of the disease and the relatively high cost of iron chelation therapy make cost-effectiveness an issue of great concern. Furthermore, the positive assessment of a drug's cost-effectiveness in one country does not necessarily justify its use in another country. More prospective studies are needed to identify the best iron chelator for patients with MDS as well as to identify those patients who will benefit most from iron chelation therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. supengyeh@gmail.com
authors.forename: Su-Peng
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Yang-Sheng
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chao-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Ching-Tien
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015913:Chelation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000961:Antilymphocyte Serum; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron