Combined Deferoxamine - Deferasirox in Treatment of Thalassemia Major with Iron Overload

Abstract

Objectives: to assess the efficacy and safety of combined Deferoxamine-defeosiraxregime and deferasiraox alone in group of thalassemia major patients

Methodology: Forty two patients studied for one year, 29 patients of Deferoxamine (20mg/kg/day infusion, two days /week) and Deferasiraox. Efficacy of both regimes assessed by serum ferritin. safety assessed by liver enzyme, creatinine and blood urea.

Results: Those patients who were on Deferasiraox alone showed significant them chosen for deferasiraox (40 mg/kg/day), 13 patients combined therapy reduction of serum ferritin (4482), to mean of serum ferritin (3132±336) range (595-8743 ng/l). The study clarified no significant changes in liver enzymes and blood urea, fortunately decline in (ALT), from mean value of (82_+16IU), to mean value (56_+6IU).

Conclusion: combined Deferosirax-Desferoxamine therapy is effective regime to maintained negative iron balance owing to more time iron chelation coverage, and acceptable compliance.

Recommendation:-more clinical trial therapy needs to be done on larger group of patients, and for longer period of time to insure the safety of combined therapy. Deferasirox till now proved to be effective and safe enough to be used with great deal of compliance for patients with iron over load.