title: Iron overload and chelation therapy in myelodysplastic syndromes.
abstract: Iron overload remains a concern in MDS patients especially those requiring recurrent blood transfusions. The consequence of iron overload may be more relevant in patients with low and intermediate-1 risk MDS who may survive long enough to experience such manifestations. It is a matter of debate whether this overload has time to yield organ damage, but it is quite evident that cellular damage and DNA genotoxic effect are induced. Iron overload may play a critical role in exacerbating pre-existing morbidity or even unmask silent ones. Under these circumstances, iron chelation therapy could play an integral role in the management of these patients. This review entails an in depth analysis of iron overload in MDS patients; its pathophysiology, effect on survival, associated risks and diagnostic options. It also discusses management options in relation to chelation therapy used in MDS patients and the impact it has on survival, hematologic response and organ function.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Temraz
authors: Division of Hematology, AOU Careggi, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Santini
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), Beirut, Lebanon.
authors: Khaled
authors: K
authors: Musallam
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC), Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: ataher@aub.edu.lb.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Taher
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007502:Iron Chelating Agents
keywords: Deferasirox; Deferiprone; Deferoxamine; Iron chelation; Iron overload; MDS; Myelodysplastic syndrome; Transfusion-dependent