Authors' objectives:

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of deferasirox (ICL 670) for iron overload.

Authors' recommendations: Deferasirox (ICL 670) is a once daily oral chelating agent for the treatment of chronic iron overload in patients with transfusion-dependent anaemias. Deferasirox is intended as a first line therapy to replace Desferal (desferrioxamine), which is administered by subcutaneous infusion over a period of 8-12 hours a day 3-7 days a week. Evidence from one short-term (12-day) phase II randomised controlled trial (RCT) and preliminary 9-month results from a one-year, open label, randomised phase II trial demonstrated that at a once daily dose of 20 mg/kg, deferasirox is as effective as Desferal in removal of iron from body stores in transfused thalassaemic patients. There are a further four phase II trials in thalassaemia, sickle cell disease and myelodysplastic syndrome, and a phase III randomised, comparative, openlabel trial in thalassaemia major, which are currently ongoing (results expected Autumn 2004).

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2003

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre (NHSC)