Efficacy and Safety of Low Dose Thalidomide in Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia

Summary

Thalidomide is known to have hypnosedative, immuno-modulatory and anti-angiogenic effects. The drug is widely used in several neoplastic disorders (e.g. multiple myeloma and malignant melanoma), inflammatory conditions (e.g. Crohn's disease) and skin disorders (e.g. leprosy). Thalidomide has been successfully used in adult thalassemia patients. The current study explores its role in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients.

Timeline

Start

2018-01-01

Primary completion

2021-11-30

Completion

2022-03-01

Publications

• Background Li Y, Ren Q, Zhou Y, Li P, Lin W, Yin X. Thalidomide has a significant effect in patients with thalassemia intermedia. Hematology. 2018 Jan;23(1):50-54. doi: 10.1080/10245332.2017.1354427. Epub 2017 Jul 18.
• Background Ren Q, Zhou YL, Wang L, Chen YS, Ma YN, Li PP, Yin XL. Clinical trial on the effects of thalidomide on hemoglobin synthesis in patients with moderate thalassemia intermedia. Ann Hematol. 2018 Oct;97(10):1933-1939. doi: 10.1007/s00277-018-3395-5. Epub 2018 Jun 22.
• Background Masera N, Tavecchia L, Capra M, Cazzaniga G, Vimercati C, Pozzi L, Biondi A, Masera G. Optimal response to thalidomide in a patient with thalassaemia major resistant to conventional therapy. Blood Transfus. 2010 Jan;8(1):63-5. doi: 10.2450/2009.0102-09. No abstract available.
• Background Ricchi P, Costantini S, Spasiano A, De Dominicis G, Di Matola T, Cinque P, Ammirabile M, Marsella M, Filosa A. The long-term and extensive efficacy of low dose thalidomide in a case of an untransfusable patient with Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2016 Mar;57:97-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2016.01.003. Epub 2016 Jan 16.
• Background Aguilar-Lopez LB, Delgado-Lamas JL, Rubio-Jurado B, Perea FJ, Ibarra B. Thalidomide therapy in a patient with thalassemia major. Blood Cells Mol Dis. 2008 Jul-Aug;41(1):136-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2008.03.001. Epub 2008 Apr 24. No abstract available.
• Background Chen J, Zhu W, Cai N, Bu S, Li J, Huang L. Thalidomide induces haematologic responses in patients with beta-thalassaemia. Eur J Haematol. 2017 Nov;99(5):437-441. doi: 10.1111/ejh.12955. Epub 2017 Sep 27.
• Background Fard AD, Hosseini SA, Shahjahani M, Salari F, Jaseb K. Evaluation of Novel Fetal Hemoglobin Inducer Drugs in Treatment of beta-Hemoglobinopathy Disorders. Int J Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Res. 2013;7(3):47-54.
• Background Gambari R. Foetal haemoglobin inducers and thalassaemia: novel achievements. Blood Transfus. 2010 Jan;8(1):5-7. doi: 10.2450/2009.0137-09. No abstract available.
• Ali Z, Ismail M, Rehman IU, Rani GF, Ali M, Khan MTM. Long-term clinical efficacy and safety of thalidomide in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia: results from Thal-Thalido study. Sci Rep. 2023 Aug 21;13(1):13592. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-40849-4.

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Indications