title: Advances in iron chelation: an update.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress (caused by excess iron) can result in tissue damage, organ failure and finally death, unless treated by iron chelators. The causative factor in the etiology of a variety of disease states is the presence of iron-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can result in cell damage or which can affect the signaling pathways involved in cell necrosis-apoptosis or organ fibrosis, cancer, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular, hepatic or renal dysfunctions. Iron chelators can reduce oxidative stress by the removal of iron from target tissues. Equally as important, removal of iron from the active site of enzymes that play key roles in various diseases can be of considerable benefit to the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review focuses on iron chelators used as therapeutic agents. The importance of iron in oxidative damage is discussed, along with the three clinically approved iron chelators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A number of iron chelators are used as approved therapeutic agents in the treatment of thalassemia major, asthma, fungal infections and cancer. However, as our knowledge about the biochemistry of iron and its role in etiologies of seemingly unrelated diseases increases, new applications of the approved iron chelators, as well as the development of new iron chelators, present challenging opportunities in the areas of drug discovery and development.
authors: Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Department of Chemistry, Fars, 7348113111, Iran.
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Heli
authors: Siamak
authors: S
authors: Mirtorabi
authors: Khashayar
authors: K
authors: Karimian
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000633:toxicity; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000633:toxicity; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000188:drug therapy; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D018943:Anthracyclines; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species