The effect of combined therapy with deferoxamine and deferiprone on serum ferritin level of beta-thalassemic patients

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of combined therapy with deferoxamine and deferiprone on serum ferritin level of beta-thalassemic patients.

Method and materials: This controlled clinical trial was conducted on 26 major beta-thalassemic patients. Twelve patients in case group received deferiprone 75 mg/kg/day three times a day (TDS) orally with deferoxamine 30-50 mg/kg subcutaneously every other day. Fourteen patients in control group received deferoxamine 30-50 mg/kg/day subcutaneously for 6-12 hours/day and 5-6 days per week. Serum ferritin level was measured at the beginning and at the end of the third and the sixth months of study. Side effects of combined therapy were assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS software v: 16.0 and t-Student and compared t-tests.

Results: The mean of serum ferritin level in case group significantly decreased from 7539.8 ± 3434.9 µg/l at the beginning of study to 4848.7 ± 2706.2 µg/l (P < 0.001) and to 4338.3 ± 2308.8 µg/l (P < 0.001) at the end of the third and the sixth months of study, respectively. The mean of serum ferritin level in control group insignificantly increased from 5668 ± 3613.8 to 6210.8 ± 3940.9 µg/l and to 5742 ± 3205.9 µg/l at the end of the third and the sixth months of study, respectively. The common side effects of combined therapy were nausea (8.3%) and arthropathy (8.3%). A mild transient neutropenia and liver enzymes elevation happened in four patients of case group.

Conclusion: Combined therapy with deferoxamine and deferiprone significantly decreases serum ferritin level. It has little side effect and is suggested for major beta-thalassemic patients as a suitable therapy.