title: Iron chelation therapy in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients: current strategies and future directions.
abstract: Transfusional iron overload is a major target in the care of patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) and other refractory anemias. Iron accumulates in the liver, heart, and endocrine organs leading to a wide array of complications. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of the approved iron chelators, deferoxamine, deferiprone, and deferasirox, and the evidence behind the use of each, as monotherapy or as part of combination therapy. We also review the different guidelines on iron chelation in TDT. This review also discusses future prospects and directions in the treatment of transfusional iron overload in TDT whether through innovation in chelation or other therapies, such as novel agents that improve transfusion dependence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Antoine N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Afif R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Harb
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ali T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Taher
keywords: iron chelation therapy; iron overload; thalassemia; transfusion; transfusion-dependent thalassemia