Combination chelation therapy
Yeşim Aydınok
Abstract
Combination chelation therapies are considered in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients for whom monotherapy regimens have failed to achieve iron balance or intensification of iron chelation therapy is required for the rapid reduction of excess iron to avoid permanent organ damage. Combination chelation may provide a more flexible approach for individualizing chelation therapy, thereby improving tolerability, adherence, and quality of life. In principle, iron chelators can be combined with an infinite number of dosing regimens; these involve simultaneous or sequential exposure to the chelators on the same day or alternating the drugs on different days. Clinical studies have established the safety and efficacy of chelation combinations. However, real-life data with combination therapies indicate the significance of compliance for a meaningful reduction in iron overload compared to monotherapies.