Study of Deferasirox in Iron Overload From Beta-thalassemia Unable to be Treated With Deferoxamin… (NCT00061763) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 2
Study of Deferasirox in Iron Overload From Beta-thalassemia Unable to be Treated With Deferoxamine or Chronic Anemias
United States175 participantsStarted 2003-05
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the oral iron chelator Deferasirox on liver iron content after one year of treatment in patients with iron overload from repeated blood transfusions. Beta-thalassemia patients unable to be treated with deferoxamine or patients with rare chronic anemias such as Myelodysplastic Syndrome, Fanconi's Syndrome, Blackfan-Diamond Syndrome, and Pure Red Blood Cell Anemia are eligible for this study. Liver iron content will be measured by liver biopsy at the beginning of the study and after one year of treatment. However, those patients living in the San Francisco/Oakland area may have a SQUID in place of the liver biopsy if the biopsy is not medically possible for them. The SQUID is a non-invasive magnetic means to measure liver iron content.
Who can participate
Age range
2 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Beta-thalassemia patients with documented non-compliance to deferoxamine, defined as taking less than 50% of prescribed doses in year prior to study, and having a liver iron content at least 14 mg iron/gm dry weight liver tissue
* Beta-thalassemia patients unable to take deferoxamine because of documented side effects or contra-indication, or documented poor response despite proper compliance, with liver iron content at least 2 mg iron/gm dry weight liver tissue
* Patients with chronic anemias with a liver iron content at least 2 mg/gm dry weight liver tissue.
* Beta-thalassemia or other chronic anemia patients having previously taken deferiprone, provided that they stop the deferiprone at least 28 days before the study and have a liver iron content at least 2 mg/gm dry weight liver tissue.
* All patients: Regular transfusions indicated by a requirement of at least 8 blood transfusions per year.
* Life expectancy of at least one year.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Beta-thalassemia able to be treated with deferoxamine, Sickle Cell Disease or non-transfusional iron overload
* Elevated liver enzymes in the year preceding enrollment
* Active Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C
* HIV seropositivity
* Elevated serum creatinine or significant proteinuria
* History of nephrotic syndrome
* Uncontrolled systemic hypertension
* Fever and other signs/symptoms of infection within 10 days prior to start of the study.
* Presence of clinically relevant cataract or previous history of…
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
To evaluate the effects of treatment on the liver iron content(LIC)