1
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Putti MC, Longo F, Corigliano E, Ricchi P, Rossi V, Casini T, Righi R, Renne S, Peritore G, Barbuto L, Positano V, Cademartiri F. Pancreatic iron in pediatric transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients: A longitudinal MRI study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30923. [PMID: 38385860 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In pediatric transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients, we evaluated the prevalence, pattern, and clinical associations of pancreatic siderosis and the changes in pancreatic iron levels and their association with baseline and changes in total body iron balance. PROCEDURE We considered 86 pediatric TDT patients consecutively enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network. Iron overload (IO) was quantified by R2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS Sixty-three (73%) patients had pancreatic IO (R2* > 38 Hz). Global pancreas R2* values were significantly correlated with mean serum ferritin levels, MRI liver iron concentration (LIC) values, and global heart R2* values. Global pancreas R2* values were significantly higher in patients with altered versus normal glucose metabolism. Thirty-one patients also performed the follow-up MRI at 18 ± 3 months. Higher pancreatic R2* values were detected at the follow-up, but the difference versus the baseline MRI was not significant. The 20% of patients with baseline pancreatic IO showed no pancreatic IO at the follow-up. The 46% of patients without baseline pancreatic IO developed pancreatic siderosis. The changes in global pancreas R2* between the two MRIs were not correlated with baseline serum ferritin levels, baseline, final, and changes in MRI LIC values, or baseline pancreatic iron levels. CONCLUSIONS In children with TDT, pancreatic siderosis is a frequent finding associated with hepatic siderosis and represents a risk factor for myocardial siderosis and alterations of glucose metabolism. Iron removal from the pancreas is exceptionally challenging and independent from hepatic iron status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Filomena Longo
- Unità Operativa Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "S. Anna,", Cona, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Ricchi
- U.O.S.D. Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Casini
- SOC Oncologia, Ematologia e Trapianto di Cellule Staminali Emopoietiche, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo Righi
- Diagnostica per Immagini e Radiologia Interventistica, Ospedale del Delta, Lagosanto, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero "Giovanni Paolo II,", Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Peritore
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Radiologia, "ARNAS" Civico, Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Barbuto
- U.O.C. Radiologia Generale e di Pronto Soccorso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Bardón-Cancho EJ, Marco-Sánchez JM, Benéitez-Pastor D, Payán-Pernía S, Llobet AR, Berrueco R, García-Morin M, Beléndez C, Senent L, Acosta MJO, Pleguezuelos IP, Velasco P, Collado A, Moreno-Servet M, Argilés B, de Soto IP, Del Mar Bermúdez M, Salido Fiérrez EJ, Blanco-Álvarez A, Navarro PG, Cela E. Spanish registry of hemoglobinopathies and rare anemias (REHem-AR): demographics, complications, and management of patients with β-thalassemia. Ann Hematol 2024; 103:1525-1539. [PMID: 38519604 PMCID: PMC11009731 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-024-05694-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The increase in the number of patients with hemoglobinopathies in Europe in recent decades highlights the need for more detailed epidemiological information in Spain. To fulfil this need, the Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (SEHOP) sponsored the creation of a national registry of hemoglobinopathies known as REHem-AR (Spanish Registry of Hemoglobinopathies and Rare Anemias). Data from the transfusion-dependent (TDT) and non-transfusion-dependent (NTDT) β-thalassemia cohorts are described and analyzed. METHODS We performed an observational, multicenter, and ambispective study, which included patients of any age with TDT and NTDT, registered up to December 31, 2021. RESULTS Among the 1741 patients included, 168 cases of thalassemia were identified (103 TDT and 65 NTDT-patients). Survival at 18 years was 93% for TDT and 100% for NTDT. Regarding management, 80 patients with TDT (77.7%) and 23 patients with NTDT (35.4%) started chelation treatment during follow-up, with deferasirox being the most widely used. A total of 76 patients within the TDT cohort presented at least 1 complication (73.8%), the most frequent being hemosiderosis and osteopenia-osteoporosis. Comparison of both cohorts revealed significant differences in the diagnosis of hepatic hemosiderosis (p = 0.00024), although these were not observed in the case of cardiac iron overload (p = 0.27). DISCUSSION Our registry enabled us to describe the management of β thalassemia in Spain and to analyze the morbidity and mortality of the cohorts of patients with TDT and NTDT. Complications related to iron overload in TDT and NTDT account for most of the morbidity and mortality of the disease, which is associated with a considerable social, psychological, and economic impact, although cardiac, osteopathy and endocrinological complications requiring more attention. The convenience and simplicity of online registries make it possible to homogenize variables and periodically update data, thus providing valuable information on these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo J Bardón-Cancho
- Data Manager de Grupo de trabajo de Eritropatología de la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas (SEHOP), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle O'Donnell, 48, Madrid, España
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - José Manuel Marco-Sánchez
- Data Manager de Grupo de trabajo de Eritropatología de la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas (SEHOP), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Calle O'Donnell, 48, Madrid, España
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - David Benéitez-Pastor
- Grupo de Investigación Translacional en Anemias Minoritarias, Unidad de Eritropatología. Servicio de Hematología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR) y Vall d'Hebron Institut d'Oncologia (VHIO), ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Grupo de Eritropatología SEHH, Grupo Clínico Vinculado GCV21/ER/1, Barcelona, España
| | - Salvador Payán-Pernía
- Servicio de Hematología. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España
| | - Anna Ruiz Llobet
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital San Joan de Déu de Barcelona (IRP-HSJD), Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - Rubén Berrueco
- Servicio de Hematología Pediátrica. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital San Joan de Déu de Barcelona (IRP-HSJD), Universitat de Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España
| | - Marina García-Morin
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España.
| | - Cristina Beléndez
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - Leonor Senent
- Servicio de Hematología, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | | | | | - Pablo Velasco
- Servicio de Hematología Infantil, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Anna Collado
- Servicio de Hematología Infantil, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - Marta Moreno-Servet
- Servicio de Hematología. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
| | - Bienvenida Argilés
- Servicio de Hematología Infantil, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | - Inmaculada Pérez de Soto
- Servicio de Hematología. Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS)-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España
| | | | | | - Adoración Blanco-Álvarez
- Unitat de Genètica Molecular Hematològica. Servei d'Hematologia, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Murcia, España
| | - Pablo González Navarro
- Bioestadístico. Unidad de Investigación Materno Infantil. Fundación Familia Alonso (UDIMIFFA). Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Hospital General Universitario Gregorio, Madrid, España
| | - Elena Cela
- Sección de Hematología y Oncología Pediátricas. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón. CSUR Eritropatología. ERN-EuroBloodNet. CIBERER, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España
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Musallam KM, Barella S, Origa R, Ferrero GB, Lisi R, Pasanisi A, Longo F, Gianesin B, Forni GL. Pretransfusion hemoglobin level and mortality in adults with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Blood 2024; 143:930-932. [PMID: 37976447 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023022460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Regular transfusions have dramatically improved the outcomes for patients with thalassemia major, especially reducing deaths from anemia-related heart failure, but the hemoglobin threshold for maximizing outcomes is the subject of conjecture. Musallam et al report on a retrospective analysis of 10-year survival data in 779 patients, identifying increasing survival to be associated with higher pretransfusion hemoglobin levels, with the highest survival observed when levels were maintained >10.5 g/dL. These data support raising the target threshold for pretransfusion hemoglobin levels in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Musallam
- Center for Research on Rare Blood Disorders, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Susanna Barella
- S.C. Centro delle Microcitemie e Anemie Rare, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Raffaella Origa
- Università di Cagliari, S.C. Centro delle Microcitemie e Anemie Rare, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Battista Ferrero
- Hemoglobinopathies Reference Center, San Luigi Gonzaga Teaching Hospital, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Lisi
- Thalassemia Unit, ARNAS Garibaldi, Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Pasanisi
- Centro della Microcitemia A.Quarta, Hematology Unit, A. Perrino Hospital, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Filomena Longo
- Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Gian Luca Forni
- ForAnemia Foundation, Genoa, Italy
- Center for Microcythemia, Congenital Anemia and Iron Dysmetabolism, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy
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4
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Musallam KM, Barella S, Origa R, Ferrero GB, Lisi R, Pasanisi A, Longo F, Gianesin B, Forni GL. 'Phenoconversion' in adult patients with β-thalassemia. Am J Hematol 2024; 99:490-493. [PMID: 38165006 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Rate and risk factors for phenoconversion from non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (NTDT) to transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) during a 10-year follow up of adult patients in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Musallam
- Center for Research on Rare Blood Disorders (CR-RBD), Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Susanna Barella
- S.C. Centro delle Microcitemie e Anemie Rare, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Raffaella Origa
- Università di Cagliari, S.C. Centro delle Microcitemie e Anemie Rare, ASL Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Battista Ferrero
- Hemoglobinopathies Reference Center, San Luigi Gonzaga Teaching Hospital, Department of Biological and Clinical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Lisi
- Thalassemia Unit, ARNAS Garibaldi, Catania, Italy
| | - Annamaria Pasanisi
- Centro della Microcitemia A.Quarta, Hematology Unit, A. Perrino Hospital, Brindisi, Italy
| | - Filomena Longo
- Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy
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5
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Musallam KM, Cappellini MD, Coates TD, Kuo KHM, Al-Samkari H, Sheth S, Viprakasit V, Taher AT. Αlpha-thalassemia: A practical overview. Blood Rev 2024; 64:101165. [PMID: 38182489 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
α-Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by decreased synthesis of α-globin chains that results in an imbalance of α and β globin and thus varying degrees of ineffective erythropoiesis, decreased red blood cell (RBC) survival, chronic hemolytic anemia, and subsequent comorbidities. Clinical presentation varies depending on the genotype, ranging from a silent or mild carrier state to severe, transfusion-dependent or lethal disease. Management of patients with α-thalassemia is primarily supportive, addressing either symptoms (eg, RBC transfusions for anemia), complications of the disease, or its transfusion-dependence (eg, chelation therapy for iron overload). Several novel therapies are also in development, including curative gene manipulation techniques and disease modifying agents that target ineffective erythropoiesis and chronic hemolytic anemia. This review of α-thalassemia and its various manifestations provides practical information for clinicians who practice beyond those regions where it is found with high frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Musallam
- Center for Research on Rare Blood Disorders (CR-RBD), Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - M Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, University of Milan, Ca' Granda Foundation IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Thomas D Coates
- Hematology Section, Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kevin H M Kuo
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hanny Al-Samkari
- Center for Hematology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sujit Sheth
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vip Viprakasit
- Department of Pediatrics & Thalassemia Center, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Ricchi P, Maggio A, Cecinati V, Longo F, Sorrentino F, Borsellino Z, Salvo A, Rossi V, Grassedonio E, Restaino G, Renne S, Righi R, Positano V, Cademartiri F. Prognostic Role of Multiparametric Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Neo Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1281. [PMID: 38592121 PMCID: PMC10931742 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We prospectively evaluated the predictive value of multiparametric cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for cardiovascular complications in non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (β-NTDT) patients who started regular transfusions in late childhood/adulthood (neo β-TDT). METHODS We considered 180 patients (38.25 ± 11.24 years; 106 females). CMR was used to quantify cardiac iron overload, biventricular function, and atrial dimensions, and to detect left ventricular (LV) replacement fibrosis. RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 76.87 ± 41.60 months, 18 (10.0%) cardiovascular events were recorded: 2 heart failures, 13 arrhythmias (10 supraventricular), and 3 cases of pulmonary hypertension. Right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), RV mass index (MI), LV replacement fibrosis, and right atrial (RA) area index emerged as significant univariate prognosticators of cardiovascular complications. The low number of events prevented us from performing a multivariable analysis including all univariable predictors simultaneously. Firstly, a multivariable analysis including the two RV size parameters (mass and volume) was carried out, and only the RV MI was proven to independently predict cardiovascular diseases. Then, a multivariable analysis, including RV MI, RA atrial area, and LV replacement fibrosis, was conducted. In this model, RV MI and LV replacement fibrosis emerged as independent predictors of cardiovascular outcomes (RV MI: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.18; LV replacement fibrosis: HR = 6.26). CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the importance of CMR in cardiovascular risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “A. Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Aurelio Maggio
- Ematologia II con Talassemia, Ospedale “V. Cervello”, 90100 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Valerio Cecinati
- Struttura Semplice di Microcitemia, Ospedale “SS. Annunziata”, 74123 Taranto, Italy;
| | - Filomena Longo
- Unità Operativa Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “S. Anna”, 44124 Cona, FE, Italy;
| | - Francesco Sorrentino
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Day Hospital Talassemici, Ospedale “Sant’Eugenio”, 00143 Rome, Italy;
| | - Zelia Borsellino
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ematologia con Talassemia, ARNAS Civico “Benfratelli-Di Cristina”, 90134 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Alessandra Salvo
- Operativa Semplice Talassemia, Presidio Ospedaliero “Umberto I”, 96100 Siracusa, Italy;
| | - Vincenza Rossi
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ematologia, Ospedale di Cosenza, 87100 Cosenza, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Grassedonio
- Sezione di Scienze Radiologiche, Dipartimento di Biopatologia e Biotecnologie Mediche, Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Gennaro Restaino
- Unità Operativa Complessa Radiodiagnostica, Gemelli Molise SpA, Fondazione di Ricerca e Cura “Giovanni Paolo II”, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero “Giovanni Paolo II”, 88046 Lamezia Terme, CZ, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Righi
- Diagnostica per Immagini e Radiologia Interventistica, Ospedale del Delta, 44023 Lagosanto, FE, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
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El-Beshlawy A, Dewedar H, Hindawi S, Alkindi S, Tantawy AA, Yassin MA, Taher AT. Management of transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT): Expert insights and practical overview from the Middle East. Blood Rev 2024; 63:101138. [PMID: 37867006 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
β-Thalassemia is one of the most common monogenetic diseases worldwide, with a particularly high prevalence in the Middle East region. As such, we have developed long-standing experience with disease management and devising solutions to address challenges attributed to resource limitations. The region has also participated in the majority of clinical trials and development programs of iron chelators and more novel ineffective erythropoiesis-targeted therapy. In this review, we provide a practical overview of management for patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, primarily driven by such experiences, with the aim of transferring knowledge to colleagues in other regions facing similar challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal El-Beshlawy
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hany Dewedar
- Thalassemia Center, Latifa Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Salwa Hindawi
- Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salam Alkindi
- Department of Hematology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman
| | - Azza A Tantawy
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Yassin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, National Centre for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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8
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Guerra A, Parhiz H, Rivella S. Novel potential therapeutics to modify iron metabolism and red cell synthesis in diseases associated with defective erythropoiesis. Haematologica 2023; 108:2582-2593. [PMID: 37345473 PMCID: PMC10542825 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Under normal conditions, iron metabolism is carefully regulated to sustain normal cellular functions and the production of hemoglobin in erythroid cells. Perturbation to the erythropoiesis-iron metabolism axis can result in iron imbalances and cause anemia or organ toxicity. Various congenital and acquired diseases associated with abnormal red cell production are characterized by aberrant iron absorption. Several recent studies have shown that improvements in red blood cell production also ameliorate iron metabolism and vice versa. Many therapeutics are now under development with the potential to improve a variety of hematologic diseases, from β-thalassemia and iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia to anemia of inflammation and polycythemia vera. This review summarizes selected mechanisms related to red cell production and iron metabolism and describes potential therapeutics and their current uses. We also consider the potential application of the discussed therapeutics on various diseases, alone or in combination. The vast repertoire of drugs under development offers new opportunities to improve the clinical care of patients suffering from congenital or acquired red blood cell disorders with limited or no treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaliris Guerra
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA
| | - Hamideh Parhiz
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA; RNA Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Stefano Rivella
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA; RNA Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology affinity group (CAMB), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics-CHOP; Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, CHOP, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
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9
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Ricchi P, Positano V, Longo F, Borsellino Z, Cecinati V, Messina G, Corigliano E, Rosso R, Righi R, Peritore G, Renne S, Vallone A, Cademartiri F. Pancreatic T2* Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Prediction of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6015. [PMID: 37762955 PMCID: PMC10531669 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12186015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
We assessed the value of pancreatic T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting cardiac events from a large prospective database of transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients. We considered 813 TDT patients (36.47 ± 10.71 years, 54.6% females) enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network. MRI was used to measure hepatic, pancreatic, and cardiac iron overload (IO), to assess biventricular function and atrial dimensions, and to detect replacement myocardial fibrosis. The mean follow-up was 50.51 ± 19.75 months. Cardiac complications were recorded in 21 (2.6%) patients: one with heart failure (HF) and 20 with arrhythmias. The single patient who developed HF had, at the baseline MRI, a reduced pancreas T2*. Out of the 20 recorded arrhythmias, 17 were supraventricular. Pancreatic T2* values were a significant predictor of future arrhythmia-related events (hazard ratio = 0.89; p = 0.015). Pancreas T2* remained significantly associated with future arrhythmias after adjusting for any other univariate predictor (age and male sex, diabetes, history of previous arrhythmias, or left atrial area index). According to the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis for arrhythmias, a pancreas T2* < 6.73 ms was the optimal cut-off value. In TDT, pancreatic iron levels had significant prognostic power for arrhythmias. Regular monitoring and the development of targeted interventions to manage pancreatic IO may help improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Gabriele Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.P.); (V.P.)
- Unità Operativa Complessa Bioingegneria, Fondazione Gabriele Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Gabriele Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.P.); (V.P.)
- Unità Operativa Semplice a Valenza Dipartimentale Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione Gabriele Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “Antonio Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Gabriele Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.P.); (V.P.)
- Unità Operativa Complessa Bioingegneria, Fondazione Gabriele Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filomena Longo
- Unità Operativa Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “S. Anna”, 44124 Cona, Italy;
| | - Zelia Borsellino
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ematologia con Talassemia, ARNAS Civico “Benfratelli-Di Cristina”, 90134 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Valerio Cecinati
- Struttura Semplice di Microcitemia, Ospedale “Santissima Annunziata”, 74123 Taranto, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Messina
- Centro Microcitemie, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Corigliano
- Ematologia Microcitemia, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio—ASP Crotone, 88900 Crotone, Italy;
| | - Rosamaria Rosso
- Unità Operativa Talassemie ed Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico “Vittorio Emanuele”, 95100 Catania, Italy;
| | - Riccardo Righi
- Diagnostica per Immagini e Radiologia Interventistica, Ospedale del Delta, 44023 Lagosanto, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Peritore
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Radiologia, ARNAS Civico “Benfratelli-Di Cristina”, 90127 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero “Giovanni Paolo II”, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy;
| | - Antonino Vallone
- Reparto di Radiologia, Azienda Ospedaliera “Garibaldi” Presidio Ospedaliero Nesima, 95126 Catania, Italy;
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione Gabriele Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.P.); (V.P.)
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Saliba AN, Musallam KM, Taher AT. How I treat non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Blood 2023; 142:949-960. [PMID: 37478396 PMCID: PMC10644094 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023020683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The intricate interplay of anemia and iron overload under the pathophysiological umbrella of ineffective erythropoiesis in non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (NTDT) results in a complex variety of clinical phenotypes that are challenging to diagnose and manage. In this article, we use a clinical framework rooted in pathophysiology to present 4 common scenarios of patients with NTDT. Starting from practical considerations in the diagnosis of NTDT, we delineate our strategy for the longitudinal care of patients who exhibit different constellations of symptoms and complications. We highlight the use of transfusion therapy and novel agents, such as luspatercept, in the patient with anemia-related complications. We also describe our approach to chelation therapy in the patient with iron overload. Although tackling every specific complication of NTDT is beyond the scope of this article, we touch on the management of the various morbidities and multisystem manifestations of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khaled M. Musallam
- Thalassemia Center, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ali T. Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Chapchap EC, Silva MMA, Baroni RH, Araujo ADS, de Assis RA, Loggetto SR, Junior AF, Verissimo MPDA, Baldanzi GR, Fertrin KY, Tricta F, Piga AG, Hamerschlak N. Extramedullary haematopoiesis in patients with thalassemia: a cross-sectional description of its prevalence, clinical features and survival. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2023:S2531-1379(23)00158-X. [PMID: 37690980 DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite knowledge advances on extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) in thalassemic patients, the real picture remains an open issue. OBJECTIVES To assess EMH prevalence in patients with thalassemia major (TM) and intermedia (TI), to describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and to explore clinical risk factors. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, images and clinical records of 184 consecutive patients with thalassemia who underwent T2* MRI between 2004 and 2011 were reviewed. Association of EMH with survival was investigated for patients with available follow-up charts. RESULTS EMH was detected in 16/168 (9.5%) patients with TM (aged 19-49 years) and in 3/16 (18.8%) with TI (aged 36-41 years). Most (88%) had paravertebral thoracic and/or abdominal masses. Age was significantly associated with EMH risk (hazard ratio, [HR] 1.10/year; confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.18; p-value < 0.001), while lower pancreatic iron content by T2*MRI (HR: 0.94/ms; CI: 0.89-0.99; p-value = 0.049) was a protective factor. Estimated survival rate was superior for EMH-positive (n = 19) when compared to EMH-negative patients (n = 75) (p-value = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of EMH was 10.3% (19/184), presented mainly as tumoral masses of 3 to 10 cm. Age was a risk factor for EMH development, while lower pancreatic iron might be a protective factor in this cohort.
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Ginzburg Y, An X, Rivella S, Goldfarb A. Normal and dysregulated crosstalk between iron metabolism and erythropoiesis. eLife 2023; 12:e90189. [PMID: 37578340 PMCID: PMC10425177 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythroblasts possess unique characteristics as they undergo differentiation from hematopoietic stem cells. During terminal erythropoiesis, these cells incorporate large amounts of iron in order to generate hemoglobin and ultimately undergo enucleation to become mature red blood cells, ultimately delivering oxygen in the circulation. Thus, erythropoiesis is a finely tuned, multifaceted process requiring numerous properly timed physiological events to maintain efficient production of 2 million red blood cells per second in steady state. Iron is required for normal functioning in all human cells, the erythropoietic compartment consuming the majority in light of the high iron requirements for hemoglobin synthesis. Recent evidence regarding the crosstalk between erythropoiesis and iron metabolism sheds light on the regulation of iron availability by erythroblasts and the consequences of insufficient as well as excess iron on erythroid lineage proliferation and differentiation. In addition, significant progress has been made in our understanding of dysregulated iron metabolism in various congenital and acquired malignant and non-malignant diseases. Finally, we report several actual as well as theoretical opportunities for translating the recently acquired robust mechanistic understanding of iron metabolism regulation to improve management of patients with disordered erythropoiesis, such as anemia of chronic inflammation, β-thalassemia, polycythemia vera, and myelodysplastic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelena Ginzburg
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkUnited States
| | - Xiuli An
- LFKRI, New York Blood CenterNew YorkUnited States
| | - Stefano Rivella
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Cell and Molecular Biology affinity group (CAMB), University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics at the Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders at the Children’s Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine at University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
- RNA Institute at University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Adam Goldfarb
- Department of Pathology, University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
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Ganz T, Nemeth E, Rivella S, Goldberg P, Dibble AR, McCaleb ML, Guo S, Monia BP, Barrett TD. TMPRSS6 as a Therapeutic Target for Disorders of Erythropoiesis and Iron Homeostasis. Adv Ther 2023; 40:1317-1333. [PMID: 36690839 PMCID: PMC10070284 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-022-02421-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
TMPRSS6 is a serine protease highly expressed in the liver. Its role in iron regulation was first reported in 2008 when mutations in TMPRSS6 were shown to be the cause of iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA) in humans and in mouse models. TMPRSS6 functions as a negative regulator of the expression of the systemic iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin. Over the last decade and a half, growing understanding of TMPRSS6 biology and mechanism of action has enabled development of new therapeutic approaches for patients with diseases of erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03165864.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Ganz
- Department of Medicine and Pathology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Elizabeta Nemeth
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Stefano Rivella
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group (CAMB), University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Research Center, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Room 316B, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Paul Goldberg
- Prilenia Therapeutics, Herzliya, Israel
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Shuling Guo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Carlsbad, CA, USA
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14
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Taher AT, Musallam KM, Viprakasit V, Kattamis A, Lord-Bessen J, Yucel A, Guo S, Pelligra C, Shields AL, Shetty JK, Miteva D, Bueno LM, Cappellini MD. Psychometric evaluation of the NTDT-PRO questionnaire for assessing symptoms in patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e066683. [PMID: 36948565 PMCID: PMC10040027 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia-patient-reported outcome (NTDT-PRO) questionnaire was developed for assessing anaemia-related tiredness/weakness (T/W) and shortness of breath (SoB) among patients with NTDT. Psychometric properties were evaluated using blinded data from the BEYOND trial (NCT03342404). DESIGN Analysis of a phase 2, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING USA, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Thailand and the UK. PARTICIPANTS Adults (≥18 years) (N=145) with NTDT who had not received a red blood cell transfusion within 8 weeks prior to randomisation, with mean baseline haemoglobin level ≤100 g/L. MEASURES NTDT-PRO daily scores from baseline until week 24, and scores at select time points for the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) and Patient Global Impression of Severity (PGI-S). RESULTS Cronbach's alpha at weeks 13-24 was 0.95 and 0.84 for the T/W and SoB domains, respectively, indicating acceptable internal consistency reliability. Among participants self-reporting no change in thalassaemia symptoms via the PGI-S between baseline and week 1, intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.94 and 0.92 for the T/W and SoB domains, respectively, indicating excellent test-retest reliability. In a known-groups validity analysis, least-squares mean T/W and SoB scores at weeks 13-24 were worse in participants with worse scores for the FACIT-F Fatigue Subscale (FS), SF-36v2 vitality or PGI-S. Indicating responsiveness, changes in T/W and SoB domain scores were moderately correlated with changes in haemoglobin levels, and strongly correlated with changes in SF-36v2 vitality, FACIT-F FS, select FACIT-F items and the PGI-S. Improvements in least-squares mean T/W and SoB scores were higher in participants with greater improvements in scores on other PROs measuring similar constructs. CONCLUSIONS The NTDT-PRO demonstrated adequate psychometric properties to assess anaemia-related symptoms in adults with NTDT and can be used to evaluate treatment efficacy in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Khaled M Musallam
- Thalassemia Center, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- International Network of Hematology, London, UK
| | - Vip Viprakasit
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Pediatrics & Siriraj Thalassemia Center, Siriraj Research Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Antonis Kattamis
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Aylin Yucel
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shien Guo
- Evidera, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Jeevan K Shetty
- Celgene International Sàrl, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Boudry, Switzerland
| | - Dimana Miteva
- Celgene International Sàrl, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Boudry, Switzerland
| | - Luciana Moro Bueno
- Celgene International Sàrl, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Boudry, Switzerland
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Policlinico Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Vitrano A, Musallam KM, Meloni A, Karimi M, Daar S, Ricchi P, Costantini S, Vlachaki E, Di Marco V, El-Beshlawy A, Hajipour M, Ansari SH, Filosa A, Ceci A, Singer ST, Naserullah ZA, Pepe A, Cademartiri F, Pollina SA, Scondotto S, Dardanoni G, Bonifazi F, Sankaran VG, Vichinsky E, Taher AT, Maggio A. Development of a Thalassemia International Prognostic Scoring System (TIPSS). Blood Cells Mol Dis 2023; 99:102710. [PMID: 36463683 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2022.102710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A prognostic scoring system that can differentiate β-thalassemia patients based on mortality risk is lacking. We analysed data from 3145 β-thalassemia patients followed through a retrospective cohort design for the outcome of death. An a priori list of prognostic variables was collected. β Coefficients from a multivariate cox regression model were used from a development dataset (n = 2516) to construct a formula for a Thalassemia International Prognostic Scoring System (TIPSS) which was subsequently applied to a validation dataset (n = 629). The median duration of observation was 10.0 years. The TIPSS score formula was constructed as exp (1.4 × heart disease + 0.9 × liver disease + 0.9 × diabetes + 0.9 × sepsis + 0.6 × alanine aminotransferase ≥42 IU/L + 0.6 × hemoglobin ≤9 g/dL + 0.4 × serum ferritin ≥1850 ng/mL). TIPSS score thresholds of greatest differentiation were assigned as <2.0 (low-risk), 2.0 to <5.0 (intermediate-risk), and ≥5.0 (high-risk). The TIPSS score was a good predictor for the outcome of death in the validation dataset (AUC: 0.722, 95%CI: 0.641-0.804) and survival was significantly different between patients in the three risk categories (P < 0.001). Compared to low-risk patients, the hazard ratio for death was 2.778 (95%CI: 1.335-5.780) in patients with intermediate-risk and 6.431 (95%CI: 3.151-13.128) in patients with high-risk. This study provides a novel tool to support mortality risk categorization for patients with β-thalassemia that could help management and research decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Vitrano
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOOR Villa Sofia-V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy
| | - Khaled M Musallam
- Thalassemia Center, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mehran Karimi
- Haematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shahina Daar
- Department of Haematology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman; Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Rare Blood Cell Disease Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Thalassaemia Unit, Ippokratio University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vito Di Marco
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia e Epatologia, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Amal El-Beshlawy
- Department of Pediatric Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Hajipour
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Aldo Filosa
- Rare Blood Cell Disease Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Ceci
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - Sylvia Titi Singer
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | - Alessia Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Fedele Bonifazi
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - Vijay G Sankaran
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Aurelio Maggio
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOOR Villa Sofia-V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy.
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Scaramellini N, Fischer D, Agarvas AR, Motta I, Muckenthaler MU, Mertens C. Interpreting Iron Homeostasis in Congenital and Acquired Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16030329. [PMID: 36986429 PMCID: PMC10054723 DOI: 10.3390/ph16030329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cells require iron to satisfy their metabolic needs and to accomplish specialized functions, such as hematopoiesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, energy metabolism, or oxygen transport. Iron homeostasis is balanced by the interplay of proteins responsible for iron import, storage, and export. A misbalance of iron homeostasis may cause either iron deficiencies or iron overload diseases. The clinical work-up of iron dysregulation is highly important, as severe symptoms and pathologies may arise. Treating iron overload or iron deficiency is important to avoid cellular damage and severe symptoms and improve patient outcomes. The impressive progress made in the past years in understanding mechanisms that maintain iron homeostasis has already changed clinical practice for treating iron-related diseases and is expected to improve patient management even further in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Scaramellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Dania Fischer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 420, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anand R. Agarvas
- Center for Translational Biomedical Iron Research, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Immunology, and Hematology, University of Heidelberg, INF 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Irene Motta
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy
- Unit of Medicine and Metabolic Disease, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Martina U. Muckenthaler
- Center for Translational Biomedical Iron Research, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Immunology, and Hematology, University of Heidelberg, INF 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Side, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christina Mertens
- Center for Translational Biomedical Iron Research, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Immunology, and Hematology, University of Heidelberg, INF 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Molecular Medicine Partnership Unit, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6221564582; Fax: +49-6221564580
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Akiki N, Hodroj MH, Bou-fakhredin R, Matli K, Taher AT. Cardiovascular Complications in β-Thalassemia: Getting to the Heart of It. Thalassemia Reports 2023; 13:38-50. [DOI: 10.3390/thalassrep13010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta thalassemia is an inherited disorder resulting in abnormal or decreased production of hemoglobin, leading to hemolysis and chronic anemia. The long-term complications can affect multiple organ systems, namely the liver, heart, and endocrine. Myocardial iron overload is a common finding in β-thalassemia. As a result, different cardiovascular complications in the form of cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmias, and vasculopathies can occur, and in extreme cases, sudden cardiac death. Each of these complications pertains to underlying etiologies and risk factors, which highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prevention. In this review, we will discuss different types of cardiovascular complications that can manifest in patients with β-thalassemia, in addition to the current diagnostic modalities, preventive and treatment modalities for these complications.
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Piga A, Longo F, Gamberini MR, Voskaridou E, Ricchi P, Caruso V, Pietrangelo A, Zhang X, Shetty JK, Attie KM, Tartaglione I. Long-term safety and erythroid response with luspatercept treatment in patients with β-thalassemia. Ther Adv Hematol 2022; 13:20406207221134404. [PMID: 36505885 PMCID: PMC9726852 DOI: 10.1177/20406207221134404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background β-thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis and anemia. Management of anemia with regular blood transfusions is associated with complications including iron overload. Here, we report long-term safety and efficacy results of the first clinical study of luspatercept in β-thalassemia, initiated in 2013, enrolling adults with both nontransfusion-dependent (NTD) and transfusion-dependent (TD) β-thalassemia. Objectives The objective was to report long-term safety data, for up to 5 years of treatment, for 64 patients with TD or NTD β-thalassemia, and long-term efficacy data for a subset of 63 patients with β-thalassemia who received high-dose luspatercept (0.6-1.25 mg/kg): 31 NTD and 32 TD patients. Design The study was a phase 2, noncontrolled, open-label trial comprising a dose-finding base phase and a 5-year extension phase. Methods Endpoints include safety; erythroid response over a continuous 12-week period [NTD: hemoglobin increase from baseline ⩾1.0 or ⩾1.5 g/dl; TD: red blood cell (RBC) transfusion burden reduction, ⩾20%, ⩾33%, or ⩾50%]; and changes in biomarkers of ineffective erythropoiesis, iron metabolism parameters, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F) scores, and 6-min walking distance. Results Median duration of luspatercept exposure for NTD and TD patients was 910 days (range, 40-1850) and 433 days (range, 21-1790), respectively. Seventeen of 31 (54.8%) NTD patients achieved a mean hemoglobin increase of ⩾1.5 g/dl and 19 of 32 (59.4%) TD patients achieved ⩾50% reduction in RBC transfusion burden, during any continuous 12-week period. Median cumulative duration of response was 1126 days (range, 127-1790) for NTD patients and 909 days (range, 87-1734) for TD patients. The most common treatment-related adverse events of any grade were bone pain, headache, and myalgia. Conclusion Long-term assessment of patients with β-thalassemia showed luspatercept was associated with sustained increases in hemoglobin levels in NTD patients and sustained transfusion burden reductions in TD patients. Trial registration (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT01749540 and NCT02268409). Plain Language Summary Long-term safety and erythroid response with luspatercept treatment in patients with β-thalassemia Background: β-thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by mutations in the β-globin gene, which encodes one of the proteins that comprise hemoglobin, a key constituent of red blood cells. Patients with β-thalassemia experience anemia, the main treatment for which is blood transfusions. Long-term repeated blood transfusions lower patients' quality of life, use hospital resources, and the resulting accumulation of excess iron can cause organ failure and decrease life expectancy. The severity of the anemia experienced by patients with β-thalassemia varies; patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia require regular blood transfusions, compared with those with nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia who require infrequent transfusions, or even none at all, to manage their symptoms. Luspatercept (Reblozyl®) is an agent that stimulates the production of red blood cells and is used to treat anemia caused by β-thalassemia. However, the long-term effects of luspatercept treatment on patients with β-thalassemia are not known.Objective: In this study, we report the long-term safety of luspatercept in 64 adult patients with either transfusion-dependent or nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, and the long-term efficacy of high-dose luspatercept (0.6-1.25 mg/kg) in a subset of 63 patients.Results: The average time period that patients were treated with luspatercept was 910 days for nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia and 433 days for transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. We report that in patients with nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, luspatercept treatment was associated with sustained increases, just over 3 years, in hemoglobin levels. Likewise, in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, luspatercept treatment was associated with a sustained reduction, 2.5 years, in the amount of blood transfusion required to manage their anemia. Long-term treatment with luspatercept was not associated with any new side effects compared with previous short-term treatment studies. The most common side effects were headache (27 patients), bone pain (20 patients), and muscle pain (14 patients) with more than 90% of these patients experiencing these side effects as mild severity.Conclusion: The results of this study show that in patients with either transfusion-dependent or nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, luspatercept provides lasting reduction in anemia with mostly mild and predictable side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Filomena Longo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Turin University, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Ersi Voskaridou
- Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Center, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Malattie Rare Del Globulo Rosso, AORN Cardarelli, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Jeevan K. Shetty
- Celgene International Sàrl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Boudry, Switzerland
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Abstract
Non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT) has been considered less severe than its transfusion-dependent variants. The most common forms of NTDT include β-thalassemia intermedia, hemoglobin E/beta thalassemia, and hemoglobin H disease. Patients with NTDT develop several clinical complications, despite their regular transfusion independence. Ineffective erythropoiesis, iron overload, and hypercoagulability are pathophysiological factors that lead to morbidities in these patients. Therefore, an early and accurate diagnosis of NTDT is essential to ascertaining early interventions. Currently, several conventional management options are available, with guidelines suggested by the Thalassemia International Federation, and novel therapies are being developed in light of the advancement of the understanding of this disease. This review aimed to increase clinicians’ awareness of NTDT, from its basic medical definition and genetics to its pathophysiology. Specific complications to NTDT were reviewed, along with the risk factors for its development. The indications of different therapeutic options were outlined, and recent advancements were reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwazen Shash
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 31441, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pediatrics, King Fahad Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar 31952, Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder worldwide. Thalassemia intermedia (TI) is non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT), which includes β-TI hemoglobin, E/β-thalassemia and hemoglobin H (HbH) disease. Due to the availability of iron chelation therapy, the life expectancy of thalassemia major (TM) patients is now close to that of TI patients. Iron overload is noted in TI due to the increasing iron absorption from the intestine. Questions are raised regarding the relationship between iron chelation therapy and decreased patient morbidity/mortality, as well as the starting threshold for chelation therapy. Searching all the available articles up to 12 August 2022, iron-chelation-related TI was reviewed. In addition to splenectomized patients, osteoporosis was the most common morbidity among TI cases. Most study designs related to ferritin level and morbidities were cross-sectional and most were from the same Italian study groups. Intervention studies of iron chelation therapy included a subgroup of TI that required regular transfusion. Liver iron concentration (LIC) ≥ 5 mg/g/dw measured by MRI and ferritin level > 300 ng/mL were suggested as indicators to start iron chelation therapy, and iron chelation therapy was suggested to be stopped at a ferritin level ≤ 300 ng/mL. No studies showed improved overall survival rates by iron chelation therapy. TI morbidities and mortalities cannot be explained by iron overload alone. Hypoxemia and hemolysis may play a role. Head-to-head studies comparing different treatment methods, including hydroxyurea, fetal hemoglobin-inducing agents, hypertransfusion as well as iron chelation therapy are needed for TI, hopefully separating β-TI and HbH disease. In addition, the target hemoglobin level should be determined for β-TI and HbH disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chien Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Executive Yuan, Tainan 70043, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-C.L.); (R.-J.C.)
| | - Chi-Tai Yen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Executive Yuan, Tainan 70043, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Ling Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Executive Yuan, Tainan 70043, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Jane Chen
- Department of Food Safety/Hygiene and Risk Management, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 70403, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (Y.-C.L.); (R.-J.C.)
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Alashkar F, Klump H, Lange CP, Proske P, Schüssler M, Yamamoto R, Carpinteiro A, Berliner CA, Schlosser TW, Röth A, Reinhardt HC. Luspatercept, a two-edged sword in beta-thalassemia-associated paravertebral extramedullary hematopoietic masses (EHMs). Eur J Haematol 2022; 109:664-671. [PMID: 36045599 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Paravertebral extramedullary hematopoietic masses (EHMs) account for up to 15% of extramedullary pseudotumors in beta-thalassemia (BT) and are most likely related to compensatory hematopoiesis. In most cases, pseudotumors are incidentally detected, as the majority of patients are asymptomatic. Since June 2020, luspatercept is approved for the treatment of patients with BT who require regular red blood cell transfusions. Data addressing the safety and efficacy of luspatercept in patients with BT-associated EHMs are pending. To date (May 2022), paravertebral EHMs were observed in two asymptomatic patients out of currently 43 adult patients with BT registered at the Adult Hemoglobinopathy Outpatient Unit of the University Hospital Essen, Germany. In one of them, a paravertebral EHM was diagnosed for more than 10 years prior to referral. Throughout observation time, treatment with luspatercept was associated with a clinically significant reduction in transfusion burden while allowing to maintain a baseline hemoglobin concentration of ≥10 g/dl aiming to suppress endogenous (ineffective) erythropoiesis associated with BT. Considering the rarity of paravertebral EHMs in BT, luspatercept might potentially represent a novel therapeutic option for these often-serious disease-associated complications. However, appropriate follow-up investigations are recommended to detect (early) treatment failures secondary to an undesired luspatercept-associated erythroid expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferras Alashkar
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hannes Klump
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Cara Paulina Lange
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Pia Proske
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schüssler
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Carpinteiro
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute for Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Wilfried Schlosser
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexander Röth
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hans Christian Reinhardt
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Abstract
Thalassaemia is a diverse group of genetic disorders with a worldwide distribution affecting globin chain synthesis. The pathogenesis of thalassaemia lies in the unbalanced globin chain production, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis, increased haemolysis, and deranged iron homoeostasis. The clinical phenotype shows heterogeneity, ranging from close to normal without complications to severe requiring lifelong transfusion support. Conservative treatment with transfusion and iron chelation has transformed the natural history of thalassaemia major into a chronic disease with a prolonged life expectancy, albeit with co-morbidities and substantial disease burden. Curative therapy with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is advocated for suitable patients. The understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease is guiding therapeutic advances. Novel agents have shown efficacy in improving anaemia and transfusion burden, and initial results from gene therapy approaches are promising. Despite scientific developments, worldwide inequality in the access of health resources is a major concern, because most patients live in underserved areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Kattamis
- Division of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, First Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Janet L Kwiatkowski
- Division of Haematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Paediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yesim Aydinok
- Department of Paediatric Heamatology and Oncology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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Vitrano A, Musallam KM, Meloni A, Addario Pollina S, Karimi M, El-beshlawy A, Hajipour M, Di Marco V, Ansari SH, Filosa A, Ricchi P, Ceci A, Daar S, Vlachaki E, Singer ST, Naserullah ZA, Pepe A, Scondotto S, Dardanoni G, Bonifazi F, Sankaran VG, Vichinsky E, Taher AT, Maggio A; International Working Group on Thalassemia (IWG-THAL). Random Forest Clustering Identifies Three Subgroups of β-Thalassemia with Distinct Clinical Severity. Thalassemia Reports 2022; 12:14-23. [DOI: 10.3390/thalassrep12010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we aimed to establish subgroups of clinical severity in a global cohort of β-thalassemia through unsupervised random forest (RF) clustering. We used a large global dataset of 7910 β-thalassemia patients and evaluated 19 indicators of phenotype severity (IPhS) to determine their contribution and relatedness in grouping β-thalassemia patients into clusters using RF analysis. RF clustering suggested that three clusters with minimal overlapping exist (classification error rate: 4.3%), and six important IPhS were identified: the current age of the patient, the mean serum ferritin level, the age at diagnosis, the age at first transfusion, the age at first iron chelation, and the number of complications. Cluster 3 represented patients with early initiation of transfusion and iron chelation, considerable iron overload, and early mortality from heart failure. Patients in Cluster 2 had lower serum ferritin levels, although they had a higher number of complications manifesting overtime. Patients in Cluster 1 represented a subgroup with delayed or absent transfusion and iron chelation, but with a high morbidity rate. Hepatic disease and cancer were dominant causes of death in patients in Cluster 1 and 2. Our findings established that patients with β-thalassemia can be clustered into three groups based on six parameters of phenotype severity.
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Musallam KM, Bou‐Fakhredin R, Cappellini MD, Taher AT. 2021 update on clinical trials in β-thalassemia. Am J Hematol 2021; 96:1518-1531. [PMID: 34347889 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The treatment landscape for patients with β-thalassemia is witnessing a swift evolution, yet several unmet needs continue to persist. Patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) primarily rely on regular transfusion and iron chelation therapy, which can be associated with considerable treatment burden and cost. Patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (NTDT) are also at risk of significant morbidity due to the underlying anemia and iron overload, but treatment options in this patient subgroup are limited. In this review, we provide updates on clinical trials of novel therapies targeting the underlying pathology in β-thalassemia, including the α/non-α-globin chain imbalance, ineffective erythropoiesis, and iron dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M. Musallam
- Thalassemia Center, Burjeel Medical City Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
- International Network of Hematology London UK
| | - Rayan Bou‐Fakhredin
- Department of Internal Medicine American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community University of Milan, Ca’ Granda Foundation IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital Milan Italy
| | - Ali T. Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine American University of Beirut Medical Center Beirut Lebanon
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25
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Musallam KM, Vitrano A, Meloni A, Addario Pollina S, Di Marco V, Hussain Ansari S, Filosa A, Ricchi P, Ceci A, Daar S, Vlachaki E, Singer ST, Naserullah ZA, Pepe A, Scondotto S, Dardanoni G, Karimi M, El-Beshlawy A, Hajipour M, Bonifazi F, Vichinsky E, Taher AT, Sankaran VG, Maggio A. Primary HBB gene mutation severity and long-term outcomes in a global cohort of β-thalassaemia. Br J Haematol 2021; 196:414-423. [PMID: 34697800 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In β-thalassaemia, the severity of inherited β-globin gene mutations determines the severity of the clinical phenotype at presentation and subsequent transfusion requirements. However, data on associated long-term outcomes remain limited. We analysed data from 2109 β-thalassaemia patients with available genotypes in a global database. Genotype severity was grouped as β0 /β0 , β0 /β+ , β+ /β+ , β0 /β++ , β+ /β++ , and β++ /β++ . Patients were followed from birth until death or loss to follow-up. The median follow-up time was 34·1 years. Mortality and multiple morbidity outcomes were analyzed through five different stratification models of genotype severity groups. Interestingly, β0 and β+ mutations showed similar risk profiles. Upon adjustment for demographics and receipt of conventional therapy, patients with β0 /β0 , β0 /β+ , or β+ /β+ had a 2·104-increased risk of death [95% confidence interval (CI): 1·176-3·763, P = 0·011] and 2·956-increased odds of multiple morbidity (95% CI: 2·310-3·784, P < 0·001) compared to patients in lower genotype severity groups. Cumulative survival estimates by age 65 years were 36·8% for this subgroup compared with 90·2% for patients in lower genotype severity groups (P < 0·001). Our study identified mortality and morbidity risk estimates across various genotype severity groups in patients with β-thalassaemia and suggests inclusion of both β+ and β0 mutations in strata of greatest severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Musallam
- Thalassemia Center, Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Angela Vitrano
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOOR Villa Sofia-V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Meloni
- MRI Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Vito Di Marco
- Department of Promozione della Salute, Materno Infantile, Medicina Interna e Specialistica di Eccellenza (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Saqib Hussain Ansari
- Department of Pediatric Haematology & Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Aldo Filosa
- Rare Blood Cell Disease Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Rare Blood Cell Disease Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriana Ceci
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - Shahina Daar
- Department of Haematology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.,Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Efthymia Vlachaki
- Thalassaemia Unit, Ippokratio University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Sylvia T Singer
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | - Alessia Pepe
- MRI Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Mehran Karimi
- Haematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amal El-Beshlawy
- Department of Pediatric Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Hajipour
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fedele Bonifazi
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, Valenzano (BA), Italy
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Vijay G Sankaran
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aurelio Maggio
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOOR Villa Sofia-V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy
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Ruan H, Yang F, Deng L, Yang D, Zhang X, Li X, Pang L. Human m 6A-mRNA and lncRNA epitranscriptomic microarray reveal function of RNA methylation in hemoglobin H-constant spring disease. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20478. [PMID: 34650160 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99867-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The thalassemia of Hemoglobin H-Constant Spring disease (HbH-CS) is the most common type of Thalassemia in non-transfusion thalassemia. Interestingly, the clinical manifestations of the same genotype of thalassemia can be vastly different, likely due to epigenetic regulation. Here, we used microarray technology to reveal the epigenetic regulation of m6A in modifiable diseases and demonstrated a role of BCL2A1 in disease regulation. In this study, we revealed that methylating enzyme writers including METTL16, WTAP, CBLL1, RBM15B, and ZC3H13 displayed low expression and the demethylating enzyme ALKBH5, along with reader proteins including IGF2BP2 and YTHDF3 exhibited high expression. In addition, BCL2A1 was hypo-methylated and showed low expression. We also revealed that the BCL2A1 methylation level and IGF2BP2 expression were negatively correlated. Additionally, the mRNAs expression between ALKBH5 and IGF2BP2 were positively correlated. In HbH-CS, most genes were hypo-methylated. This included BCL2A1, which may play an important role in the process of red blood cell differentiation and development of HbH-CS. Moreover, the mRNA-M6A methylation status may be regulated by the demethylating enzyme ALKBH5 via IGF2BP2.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Red blood cell transfusions and iron chelation therapy are the cornerstone of treatment for β-thalassemia, with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy offering further disease-management options for eligible patients. With up to 90% of severe cases of β-thalassemia occurring in resource-constrained countries, and estimates indicating that 22,500 deaths occur annually as a direct consequence of undertransfusion, provision of adequate treatment remains a major issue. AREAS COVERED In this review, we provide an overview of luspatercept, a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent, and present the available clinical data related to the treatment of β-thalassemia. EXPERT OPINION The recent approval of luspatercept offers a new, long-term therapeutic option for adult patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia to reduce red blood cell transfusion burden, anemia, and iron overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Petzer V, Theurl I, Weiss G, Wolf D. EnvIRONmental Aspects in Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5202. [PMID: 34068996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic iron overload is multifactorial in patients suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Disease-immanent ineffective erythropoiesis together with chronic red blood cell transfusion represent the main underlying reasons. However, like the genetic heterogeneity of MDS, iron homeostasis is also diverse in different MDS subtypes and can no longer be generalized. While a certain amount of iron and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are indispensable for proper hematological output, both are harmful if present in excess. Consequently, iron overload has been increasingly recognized as an important player in MDS, which is worth paying attention to. This review focuses on iron- and ROS-mediated effects in the bone marrow niche, their implications for hematopoiesis and their yet unclear involvement in clonal evolution. Moreover, we provide recent insights into hepcidin regulation in MDS and its interaction between erythropoiesis and inflammation. Based on Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), representing one of the most frequently mutated genes in MDS, leading to disturbances in both iron homeostasis and hematopoiesis, we highlight that different genetic alteration may have different implications and that a comprehensive workup is needed for a complete understanding and development of future therapies.
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