Study of Deferasirox in Iron Overload From Beta-thalassemia Unable to be Treated With Deferoxamine or Chronic Anemias

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…