Japanese epidemiological survey with consensus statement on Japanese guidelines for treatment of iron overload in bone marrow failure syndromes

Int J Hematol. 2008 Jul;88(1):30-35. doi: 10.1007/s12185-008-0119-y. Epub 2008 Jun 27.

Abstract

Many patients with bone marrow failure syndromes need frequent transfusions of red blood cells, and most of them eventually suffer from organ dysfunction induced by excessively accumulated iron. The only way to treat transfusion-induced iron overload is iron chelating therapy. However, most patients have not been treated effectively because daily/continuous administration of deferoxamine is difficult for outpatients. Recently, a novel oral iron chelator, deferasirox, has been developed, and introduction of the drug may help many patients benefit from iron chelation therapy. In this review, we will discuss the current status of iron overload in transfusion-dependent patients, and the development of Japanese guidelines for the treatment of iron overload in Japan, which were established by the National Research Group on Idiopathic Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes in Japan.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Asian People
  • Benzoates / therapeutic use*
  • Bone Marrow Diseases / complications
  • Bone Marrow Diseases / epidemiology
  • Bone Marrow Diseases / therapy*
  • Data Collection*
  • Deferasirox
  • Erythrocyte Transfusion / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Iron Chelating Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Iron Overload / drug therapy*
  • Iron Overload / epidemiology*
  • Iron Overload / etiology
  • Japan
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Syndrome
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Benzoates
  • Iron Chelating Agents
  • Triazoles
  • Deferasirox