1
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Coates TD. Higher hemoglobin is better in thalassemia. Blood 2024; 143:842-844. [PMID: 38451517 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2023023294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
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2
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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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3
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Pinto VM, Romano N, Balocco M, Carrara P, Lamagna M, Quintino S, Castaldi A, Forni GL. Reduction of extramedullary erythropoiesis and amelioration of anemia in a β-thalassemia patient treated with thalidomide. Am J Hematol 2024; 99:463-464. [PMID: 38146593 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.27189] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
β-thalassemia patient treated with thalidomide: dimensional reduction of EMH foci (MRI evaluation) and reduction of hematological responce at follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Maria Pinto
- Centro della Microcitemia, delle Anemie Congenite e dei Disordini del Metabolismo del Ferro, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola Romano
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Manuela Balocco
- Centro della Microcitemia, delle Anemie Congenite e dei Disordini del Metabolismo del Ferro, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Paola Carrara
- Centro della Microcitemia, delle Anemie Congenite e dei Disordini del Metabolismo del Ferro, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Martina Lamagna
- Centro della Microcitemia, delle Anemie Congenite e dei Disordini del Metabolismo del Ferro, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Quintino
- Centro della Microcitemia, delle Anemie Congenite e dei Disordini del Metabolismo del Ferro, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Antonio Castaldi
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Forni
- Centro della Microcitemia, delle Anemie Congenite e dei Disordini del Metabolismo del Ferro, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy
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4
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Kuo KH. Pyruvate kinase activators: targeting red cell metabolism in thalassemia. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program 2023; 2023:114-120. [PMID: 38066911 PMCID: PMC10727068 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2023000468] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Thalassemia is an inherited red blood cell disorder whereby the qualitative and/or quantitative imbalance in α- to β-globin ratio results in hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis. Oxidative stress, from the precipitated excess globin and free iron, is a major factor that drives hemolysis and ineffective erythropoiesis. Pyruvate kinase activity and adenosine triphosphate availability are reduced due to the overwhelmed cellular antioxidant system from the excessive oxidative stress. Mitapivat, a pyruvate kinase activator in development as a treatment for thalassemia, was shown to increase hemoglobin and reduce hemolysis in a small phase 2 single-arm trial of patients with α- and β-thalassemia. The ongoing phase 3 studies with mitapivat and the phase 2 study with etavopivat will examine the role of pyruvate kinase activators as disease modifying agents in thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin H.M. Kuo
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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5
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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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6
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Musallam KM, Taher AT, Kattamis A, Kuo KHM, Sheth S, Cappellini MD. Profile of Luspatercept in the Treatment of Anemia in Adults with Non-Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia (NTDT): Design, Development and Potential Place in Therapy. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:1583-1591. [PMID: 37255740 PMCID: PMC10226484 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s368584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, evidence has been mounting on the detrimental clinical sequelae of untreated anemia in patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (NTDT). There are no pharmacologic agents that are specifically approved for the management of anemia in NTDT, and available options such as splenectomy, transfusion therapy, and hydroxyurea each come with their own shortcomings, especially for long-term use. Luspatercept is an erythroid maturation agent that has been evaluated in a Phase 2, randomized trial and showed a significant benefit in raising hemoglobin level by at least 1 g/dL in adults with NTDT and a baseline hemoglobin level ≤10 g/dL. These data led to luspatercept's approval by the European Commission for the treatment of anemia in adults with NTDT and presents the first evidence-based approach for a novel agent that is able to ameliorate anemia in this patient population.
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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
| | - Antonis Kattamis
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Kevin H M Kuo
- Division of Hematology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sujit Sheth
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, University of Milan, Ca’ Granda Foundation IRCCS Maggiore Policlinico Hospital, Milan, Italy
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7
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Cario H. Diagnostik und Therapie der alpha- und
beta-Thalassämien. Transfusionsmedizin 2023. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1966-5765] [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] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungDie komplexe Behandlung von Patienten mit Thalassämien stellt nicht nur
eine medizinische, sondern angesichts der in den letzten Jahren deutlich
gestiegenen Patientenzahlen auch eine gesellschaftliche Herausforderung dar, die
eine sehr enge Zusammenarbeit aller Behandler erfordert. Der vorliegende Beitrag
erläutert Ursachen und Pathogenese der alpha- und
beta-Thalassämien und bietet eine Übersicht zu Klinik und
Therapien.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Cario
- Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Zentrum für
Seltene Störungen der Hämatopoese und Immundefekte (ZSHI Ulm),
Universitätsklinikum Ulm
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8
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Musallam KM, Taher AT, Cappellini MD, Hermine O, Kuo KHM, Sheth S, Viprakasit V, Porter JB. Untreated Anemia in Nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia: Time to Sound the Alarm. Hemasphere 2022; 6:e806. [DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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9
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Platzbecker U, Morison JK. Luspatercept in patients with non-transfusion dependent β-thalassaemia. Lancet Haematol 2022; 9:e709-e711. [PMID: 36007539 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3026(22)00256-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Platzbecker
- University Medical Center Leipzig, Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig 04109, Germany.
| | - Jessica Kate Morison
- University Medical Center Leipzig, Department of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, University of Leipzig, Leipzig 04109, Germany
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10
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Taher AT, Cappellini MD, Kattamis A, Voskaridou E, Perrotta S, Piga AG, Filosa A, Porter JB, Coates TD, Forni GL, Thompson AA, Tartaglione I, Musallam KM, Backstrom JT, Esposito O, Giuseppi AC, Kuo WL, Miteva D, Lord-Bessen J, Yucel A, Zinger T, Shetty JK, Viprakasit V; BEYOND Investigators. Luspatercept for the treatment of anaemia in non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia (BEYOND): a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Haematol 2022; 9:e733-44. [PMID: 36007538 DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3026(22)00208-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia, haemoglobin concentrations lower than 10 g/dL are associated with a higher risk of morbidity, mortality, and impaired quality of life. No drugs are specifically approved for anaemia management in patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia, other than transfusion therapy administered infrequently in accordance with patients' needs. We assessed the efficacy and safety of luspatercept versus placebo in patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia. METHODS We did a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial in 12 centres in six countries (Thailand [n=1], Lebanon [n=1], Greece [n=2], Italy [n=5], the UK [n=1], and the USA [n=2]). Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had confirmed diagnosis of β-thalassaemia or haemoglobin E/β-thalassaemia (concomitant α-globin deletion, mutation, or duplication were allowed), and a baseline haemoglobin concentration of 10·0 g/dL or lower. All patients were non-transfusion-dependent. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to luspatercept or placebo using an interactive response technology system and stratified by baseline haemoglobin concentration (≥8·5 g/dL vs <8·5 g/dL) and baseline Non-Transfusion-Dependent β-thalassaemia-Patient-Reported Outcome Tiredness/Weakness domain score (≥3 vs <3). All patients, study site staff, and sponsor representatives (who reviewed the data), except for designated individuals, were masked to drug assignment until the time the study was unblinded. Luspatercept or placebo was given once subcutaneously every 3 weeks for 48 weeks in the double-blind treatment period. Luspatercept was started at 1·0 mg/kg with titration up to 1·25 mg/kg, or reduction in the event of toxicity or excessive haemoglobin concentration increase. The primary endpoint was achievement of an increase from baseline of 1·0 g/dL or higher in mean haemoglobin concentration over a continuous 12-week interval during weeks 13-24, in the absence of transfusions. The primary efficacy and safety analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03342404, and is ongoing. FINDINGS Between Feb 5, 2018, and Oct 14, 2019, 160 patients were screened for eligiblity, of whom 145 were randomly assigned to luspatercept (n=96) or placebo (n=49). 82 (57%) patients were female and 63 (43%) were male. 44 (30%) patients were Asian, 87 (60%) were White, and 14 (10%) identified as another race. The study met its primary endpoint: 74 (77%) of 96 patients in the luspatercept group and none in the placebo group had an increase of at least 1·0 g/dL in haemoglobin concentration (common risk difference 77·1 [95% CI 68·7-85·5]; p<0·0001). The proportion of patients with serious adverse events was lower in the luspatercept group than in the placebo group (11 [12%] vs 12 [25%]). Treatment-emergent adverse events most commonly reported with luspatercept were bone pain (35 [37%]), headache (29 [30%]), and arthralgia (28 [29%]). No thromboembolic events or deaths were reported during the study. INTERPRETATION Luspatercept represents a potential treatment for adult patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia, for whom effective approved treatment options are scarce. FUNDING Celgene and Acceleron Pharma.
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11
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Cario H. [Diagnostics and treatment of alpha- and beta-thalassemias]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2022; 147:1250-1261. [PMID: 36126923 DOI: 10.1055/a-1767-8379] [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: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Thalassemias are a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases based on a quantitative disorder of globin chain synthesis. They are among the most frequent monogenic hereditary diseases worldwide. Migration during recent years led to a profoundly increasing number of patients in countries where the indigenous population has not been affected. The complex treatment of the patients represents a medical and socioeconomic challenge with the need for structured interdisciplinary clinical care and close collaboration among healthcare providers, regulatory authorities, and health care insurance companies. The following article provides an overview of the causes, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment of alpha- and beta-thalassemias.
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12
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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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13
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Kuo KHM, Layton DM, Lal A, Al-Samkari H, Bhatia J, Kosinski PA, Tong B, Lynch M, Uhlig K, Vichinsky EP. Safety and efficacy of mitapivat, an oral pyruvate kinase activator, in adults with non-transfusion dependent α-thalassaemia or β-thalassaemia: an open-label, multicentre, phase 2 study. Lancet 2022; 400:493-501. [PMID: 35964609 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)01337-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (NTDT), although they do not require regular blood transfusions for survival, can still accrue a heavy burden of comorbidities. No approved disease-modifying therapies exist for these patients. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of mitapivat (Agios Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA), a pyruvate kinase activator, in adults with non-transfusion-dependent (NTD) α-thalassaemia or NTD β-thalassaemia. METHODS In this open-label, multicentre, phase 2 study, patients were recruited from four academic clinical study sites in Oakland, CA, and Boston, MA, USA; Toronto, ON, Canada; and London, UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, with NTDT (including β-thalassaemia with or without α-globin gene mutations, haemoglobin E β-thalassaemia, or α-thalassaemia), and a baseline haemoglobin concentration of 10·0 g/dL or lower. During a 24-week core period, mitapivat was administered orally at 50 mg twice daily for the first 6 weeks followed by an escalation to 100 mg twice daily for 18 weeks thereafter. The primary endpoint was haemoglobin response (a ≥1·0 g/dL increase in haemoglobin concentration from baseline at one or more assessments between weeks 4 and 12). Efficacy and safety were assessed in the full analysis set (ie, all patients who received at least one dose of study drug). This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03692052, and is closed to accrual. FINDINGS Between Dec 28, 2018, and Feb 6, 2020, 27 patients were screened, of whom 20 were enrolled (15 [75%] with β-thalassaemia and five [25%] with α-thalassaemia) and received mitapivat. The median age of patients was 44 years (IQR 35-56), 15 (75%) of 20 patients were female, five (25%) were male, and ten (50%) identified as Asian. 16 (80% [90% CI 60-93]) of 20 patients had a haemoglobin response (p<0·0001), five (100%) of five with α-thalassaemia and 11 (73%) of 15 with β-thalassaemia. 17 (85%) patients had a treatment-emergent adverse event, and 13 had a treatment-emergent event that was considered to be treatment related. One serious treatment-emergent adverse event occurred (grade 3 renal impairment), which was considered unrelated to study drug, resulting in discontinuation of treatment. The most commonly reported treatment-emergent adverse events were initial insomnia (ten [50%] patients), dizziness (six [30%]), and headache (five [25%]). No patients died during the 24-week core period. INTERPRETATION These efficacy and safety results support the continued investigation of mitapivat for the treatment of both α-thalassaemia and β-thalassaemia. FUNDING Agios Pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin H M Kuo
- Division of Haematology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - D Mark Layton
- Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Ashutosh Lal
- Division of Hematology, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Hanny Al-Samkari
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joy Bhatia
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Bo Tong
- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Elliott P Vichinsky
- Division of Hematology, University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital, Oakland, CA, USA
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14
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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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16
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Musallam KM, Vitrano A, Meloni A, Pollina SA, 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. Risk of mortality from anemia and iron overload in nontransfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Am J Hematol 2022; 97:E78-E80. [PMID: 34862982 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - 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
| | | | - 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
| | - Vito Di Marco
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia e Epatologia, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica University of Palermo Palermo Italy
| | | | - 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, 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 Titi Singer
- Division of Hematology‐Oncology, Department of Pediatrics University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Oakland California USA
| | | | - Alessia Pepe
- MRI Unit, 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 Massachusetts USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Cambridge Massachusetts USA
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute Cambridge Massachusetts USA
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Division of Hematology‐Oncology, Department of Pediatrics University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland Oakland California 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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17
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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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18
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Musallam KM, Vitrano A, Meloni A, Pollina WA, 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. Survival and causes of death in 2,033 patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia. Haematologica 2021; 106:2489-2492. [PMID: 33882642 PMCID: PMC8409024 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2021.278684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Angela Vitrano
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOOR Villa Sofia-V. Cervello, Palermo
| | | | | | - Mehran Karimi
- Haematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz
| | - Amal El-Beshlawy
- Department of Pediatric Haematology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo
| | - Mahmoud Hajipour
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Research Center, Research Institute for Children's Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
| | - Vito Di Marco
- Sezione di Gastroenterologia e Epatologia, Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, University of Palermo, Palermo
| | - Saqib Hussain Ansari
- Department of Pediatric Haematology and Molecular Medicine, National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi
| | - Aldo Filosa
- Rare Blood Cell Disease Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Rare Blood Cell Disease Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples
| | - Adriana Ceci
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, Valenzano (BA)
| | - Shahina Daar
- Department of Haematology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman; Wallenberg Research Centre, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch
| | | | - Sylvia Titi Singer
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA
| | | | - Alessia Pepe
- MRI Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa
| | | | | | - Fedele Bonifazi
- Fondazione per la Ricerca Farmacologica Gianni Benzi Onlus, Valenzano (BA)
| | - 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 02115, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, CA
| | - Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut
| | - Aurelio Maggio
- Campus of Haematology Franco and Piera Cutino, AOOR Villa Sofia-V. Cervello, Palermo.
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Karimi M, Zarei T, Bahmanimehr A, Aramesh A, Daryanoush S, Haghpanah S. Long-term safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea in patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia: a comprehensive single-center experience. Ann Hematol 2021. [PMID: 34383102 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-021-04627-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, hydroxyurea (HU) has emerged as an effective therapeutic agent in thalassemic patients to improve anemia and decrease the transfusion dependency. We evaluated long-term safety and clinical response to HU in patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (NTDT). In this retrospective study, medical records of 181 patients with NTDT were evaluated during October to December 2020 in Southern Iran. No requirement to blood transfusion was considered as sustained transfusion independence response. All patients were regularly examined and monitored for the occurrence of any adverse event (AE) of HU. The mean duration of HU consumption ± SD was 18.2 ± 4.0 (8-22) years. Overall, 149 patients (82.3%) had sustained transfusion independence response. β-globin gene mutations and XmnI polymorphisms were not significantly associated with clinical response (P > 0.05). Mild and transient AEs were reported in 60 patients (33%) with no requirement to drug interruption. Hydroxyurea with the dose of 8-15 mg/kg can be used as a safe and effective treatment in NTDT patients. It was well tolerated in long term without any serious complication or secondary malignancy. No relationship between XmnI or β-globin gene mutations with HU response was observed in this geographic area of the world.
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