Longitudinal changes in LIC and other parameters in patients receiving different chelation regimens: Data from LICNET.

Objectives: The liver remains the primary site of iron storage, with liver iron concentration (LIC) being a strong surrogate of total body iron. MRI-R2 can accurately measure LIC. The LICNET (Liver Iron Cutino Network) was established to diagnostics of liver iron overload by MRI-R2 subjects with hemochromatosis in hematological disorders.

The role of anaemia in oxidative and genotoxic damage in transfused β-thalassaemic patients.

Objectives: Redox imbalance and genotoxic damage are commonly observed in β thalassaemic patients. The aim of this study was to assess the role of anaemia in oxidative and genotoxic damage in regularly transfused thalassaemic patients, undergoing iron chelation therapy.

Methods: We studied the relationships of haematological, biochemical and clinical parameters with oxidative (reactive oxygen species and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine) and genotoxic biomarkers (Comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus test) in blood samples from 105 patients.

Improving survival with deferiprone treatment in patients with thalassemia major: a prospective multicenter randomised clinical trial under the auspices of the Italian Society for Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathies.

The prognosis for thalassemia major has dramatically improved in the last two decades. However, many transfusion-dependent patients continue to develop progressive accumulation of iron. This can lead to tissue damage and eventually death, particularly from cardiac disease.