Combined therapy with deferoxamine and deferiprone. 2005

Antonis Kattamis
First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, Medical School, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Thivon and Levadias, Goudi 115 27, Greece. ankatt@med.uoa.gr

Therapy with either deferiprone (DFP) or deferoxamine (DFO) is inadequate in achieving negative iron balance in many patients with thalassemia. There are mounting theoretical, experimental, and clinical evidences of increased efficacy when therapy includes both chelating agents. DFP and DFO chelate excess iron in different ways without affecting each other's metabolism. When both chelators are administered simultaneously, they interact either in an additive or synergistic manner, probably through "shuttling" iron from DFP to DFO. Iron-balance studies have shown that the use of both agents on the same day can induce negative iron balance in all patients. Long-term combined therapy with DFO with DFP results in considerable reduction of both ferritin levels and liver iron concentration as well as significant improvement in cardiac siderosis and function. This therapeutic regimen is well tolerated and safe, even though it may be related to a small increase in the incidence of agranulocytosis compared with DFP monotherapy. Apart from using both agents simultaneously, sequential administration of DFP and DFO has also shown promising results. Combining the available iron chelators offers many therapeutic options that can be tailored to each patient individually. It is an exciting advance in treating hemosiderosis in thalassemic patients.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007501 Iron A metallic element with atomic symbol Fe, atomic number 26, and atomic weight 55.85. It is an essential constituent of HEMOGLOBINS; CYTOCHROMES; and IRON-BINDING PROTEINS. It plays a role in cellular redox reactions and in the transport of OXYGEN. Iron-56,Iron 56
D007502 Iron Chelating Agents Organic chemicals that form two or more coordination links with an iron ion. Once coordination has occurred, the complex formed is called a chelate. The iron-binding porphyrin group of hemoglobin is an example of a metal chelate found in biological systems. Iron Chelates,Agents, Iron Chelating,Chelates, Iron,Chelating Agents, Iron
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D009202 Cardiomyopathies A group of diseases in which the dominant feature is the involvement of the CARDIAC MUSCLE itself. Cardiomyopathies are classified according to their predominant pathophysiological features (DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY; HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY; RESTRICTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY) or their etiological/pathological factors (CARDIOMYOPATHY, ALCOHOLIC; ENDOCARDIAL FIBROELASTOSIS). Myocardial Disease,Myocardial Diseases,Myocardial Diseases, Primary,Myocardial Diseases, Secondary,Myocardiopathies,Primary Myocardial Disease,Cardiomyopathies, Primary,Cardiomyopathies, Secondary,Primary Myocardial Diseases,Secondary Myocardial Diseases,Cardiomyopathy,Cardiomyopathy, Primary,Cardiomyopathy, Secondary,Disease, Myocardial,Disease, Primary Myocardial,Disease, Secondary Myocardial,Diseases, Myocardial,Diseases, Primary Myocardial,Diseases, Secondary Myocardial,Myocardial Disease, Primary,Myocardial Disease, Secondary,Myocardiopathy,Primary Cardiomyopathies,Primary Cardiomyopathy,Secondary Cardiomyopathies,Secondary Cardiomyopathy,Secondary Myocardial Disease
D011728 Pyridones Pyridine derivatives with one or more keto groups on the ring. Pyridinones
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D003676 Deferoxamine Natural product isolated from Streptomyces pilosus. It forms iron complexes and is used as a chelating agent, particularly in the mesylate form. Desferrioxamine,Deferoxamine B,Deferoxamine Mesilate,Deferoxamine Mesylate,Deferoxamine Methanesulfonate,Deferoximine,Deferrioxamine B,Desferal,Desferioximine,Desferrioxamine B,Desferrioxamine B Mesylate,Desferroxamine,Mesilate, Deferoxamine,Mesylate, Deferoxamine,Mesylate, Desferrioxamine B,Methanesulfonate, Deferoxamine
D004334 Drug Administration Schedule Time schedule for administration of a drug in order to achieve optimum effectiveness and convenience. Administration Schedule, Drug,Administration Schedules, Drug,Drug Administration Schedules,Schedule, Drug Administration,Schedules, Drug Administration
D004357 Drug Synergism The action of a drug in promoting or enhancing the effectiveness of another drug. Drug Potentiation,Drug Augmentation,Augmentation, Drug,Augmentations, Drug,Drug Augmentations,Drug Potentiations,Drug Synergisms,Potentiation, Drug,Potentiations, Drug,Synergism, Drug,Synergisms, Drug
D004359 Drug Therapy, Combination Therapy with two or more separate preparations given for a combined effect. Combination Chemotherapy,Polychemotherapy,Chemotherapy, Combination,Combination Drug Therapy,Drug Polytherapy,Therapy, Combination Drug,Chemotherapies, Combination,Combination Chemotherapies,Combination Drug Therapies,Drug Polytherapies,Drug Therapies, Combination,Polychemotherapies,Polytherapies, Drug,Polytherapy, Drug,Therapies, Combination Drug

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