Our Iron Will: HCP Transfusional iron overload

NTBI is absorbed into each organ independently²

Once transferrin saturation exceeds 35%, labile iron circulates in the plasma as non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) and labile plasma iron (LPI)^{4, 6}

Inadequate iron chelation increases the risk of life-threatening complications

60-70% of deaths in thalassaemia major patients are due to heart complications and disease⁷*

Sickle cell patients receiving transfusions had 4.1 hospital stays per year vs. 2.1 for non-transfused patients⁸†

The death rate is 3X higher among sickle cell disease and thalassaemia major patients with transfusional iron overload⁸†

*Based on a total of 1,073 patients diagnosed with thalassaemia major before the age of 3. Click here to read the full study. †Based on a study of patients who were either currently on or had received regular transfusion therapy and confirmed to have iron overload as defined by a liver iron concentration (LIC) of >10 mg/g dry weight or 3 serum ferritin values that averaged ≥2,000 ng/mL within the previous 12 months. 142 patients with thalassaemia and 199 patients with sickle cell disease who received regular transfusions were included in the study group and compared with 64 non-treated sickle cell disease patients as controls. Despite improvements in therapy, death rate in this contemporary sample of transfused adult subjects with Thal or SCD is 3 times greater than the general US population. Click here to read the full study

If removal of NTBI can be achieved, complications of iron overload can be reduced or eliminated^1,6

Objectives of iron chelation therapy^{1, 9, 10}

Depending on the organ, it can take a long time to reduce iron.^1,5

Chelation therapy needs to be individually tailored for each patient to respect their lifestyle and to minimise toxicity.^1,5

An alternative chelator may be considered due to intolerable side effects or inadequate efficacy. Efficacy should be evaluated regularly based on the recommended target levels for serum ferritin, liver iron and cardiac T2* as supported by consensus treatment guidelines*.^5,11

*Guidelines on treatment and disease management may differ dipending on the country of practice. Please refer to your local guidelines and standards of practice as appropriate.

SICKLE CELL DISEASE

THALASSAEMIA

The main goal of chelation therapy is to arrive at an effective plan that the patient agrees to follow^1,5

Know available options When it comes to iron chelators, one size does not fit all. Appropriate iron chelation needs to be adjusted regularly to help prevent damage caused by iron overload^1,5

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For HCP: In case you want to report an adverse drug reaction you become aware of, please report it to your Health Authority according to the requirements set by the pharmacovigilance legislation.

Transfusional iron overload affects the whole body2

NTBI is absorbed into each organ independently2

Inadequate iron chelation increases the risk of life-threatening complications

If removal of NTBI can be achieved, complications of iron overload can be reduced or eliminated1,6

Objectives of iron chelation therapy1, 9, 10

Depending on the organ, it can take a long time to reduce iron.1,5

Chelation therapy needs to be individually tailored for each patient to respect their lifestyle and to minimise toxicity.1,5