1.
A Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial of Single-Agent Hydroxyurea Versus Thalidomide Among Adult Transfusion Dependent β Thalassemia Patients
Bhattacharjee U, Khadwal A, Shafiq N, Lad D, Sharma P, Das R, Shukla P, Jain A, Prakash G, Malhotra P
Indian journal of hematology & blood transfusion : an official journal of Indian Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion. 2023;:1-10
Abstract
Hydroxyurea and low dose thalidomide are low-cost, easily accessible Hb F inducing agents that have been found to decrease transfusion dependency among transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. However, these drugs have not much been explored in a randomized controlled setting. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of hydroxyurea and low dose thalidomide in adult transfusion dependent β thalassemia. A total of 39 transfusion dependent β thalassemia patients were randomized into three arms: Arm A (Hydroxyurea 500 mg/day), Arm B (thalidomide 50 mg/day), and Control Arm. The primary outcome was rise in haemoglobin at 24-weeks from the baseline levels. The mean age of the cohort was 26.9 ± 4.7 years. Total 13 patients (33.3%) were splenectomised. The mean rise of haemoglobin at the end of 24 weeks was 0.18 ± 0.645 g/dl, 0.56 ± 1.343 g/dl, and - 0.31 ± 0.942 g/dl in Arm A, Arm B and control arm, respectively, p = 0.127. The mean volume of blood transfused per unit body weight in 24 weeks was significantly less in the thalidomide arm compared with the control arm (p = 0.035). Abdominal pain (Grade 1-2, 23.1%) and pruritus (Grade 1, 15.4%) were the main adverse events in hydroxyurea arm, whereas somnolence was the main side effect noted in the thalidomide arm (Grade 1-2, 78.3%). Single agent hydroxyurea or thalidomide is ineffective in increasing haemoglobin and decreasing transfusion burden among majority of the adult transfusion dependent thalassemia patients. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12288-022-01620-3.
2.
Comparison of efficacy of packed red blood cell transfusion based on its hemoglobin content versus the standard transfusion practice in thalassemia major patients (HEMOCON study)
Raja A, Jain A, Marwaha N, Trehan A
Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis. 2020;:102736
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Abstract
The hemoglobin (Hb) content of packed red blood cell (PRBC) units is heterogenous. The efficacy of a transfusion episode can be assessed if the Hb content of the PRBC is known and the patient's post-transfusion Hb increment is also determined. This prospective study compared the efficacy of PRBC transfusion based on its Hb content versus the standard transfusion practice. A total of 160 thalassemia major patients were enrolled and randomly divided into two equal groups: Group I (n = 80) - they received ABO/RhD identical PRBCs after determining its Hb content (≥50 g); and Group II (n = 80) - they received randomly selected ABO/RhD identical PRBCs. Hb estimation and a direct antiglobulin test were performed on the post-transfusion sample (1 h). The mean Hb content of the PRBC units was significantly higher (p = 0.000) in group I (67.86 +/- 8.07 g; range: 50.80-92.13 g) than group II (60.92 +/- 8.29 g; range: 40.86-86.76 g). The mean Hb increment was also significantly higher in group I patients (p = 0.04). In both the groups, there was a significant negative correlation between Hb increment and weight, age, body surface area and blood volume (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between Hb increment and Hb dose adjusted for body surface area as well as blood volume (p < 0.05). PRBC transfusion was more efficacious in patients who were transfused with PRBCs having a Hb content ≥50 g as compared to those who received randomly selected PRBCs.
PICO Summary
Population
Thalassemia major patients (n=160).
Intervention
ABO/RhD identical packed red blood cell (PRBCs) after determining its Hb content (>/=50 g) group I, (n = 80).
Comparison
Randomly selected ABO/RhD identical PRBCs group II ,(n = 80).
Outcome
The mean Hb content of the PRBC units was significantly higher in group I (67.86 +/- 8.07 g; range: 50.80-92.13 g) than group II (60.92 +/- 8.29 g; range: 40.86-86.76 g). The mean Hb increment was also significantly higher in group I patients. In both the groups, there was a significant negative correlation between Hb increment and weight, age, body surface area and blood volume. There was a significant positive correlation between Hb increment and Hb dose adjusted for body surface area as well as blood volume. PRBC transfusion was more efficacious in patients who were transfused with PRBCs having a Hb content >/=50 g as compared to those who received randomly selected PRBCs.