Thalidomide confers therapeutic benefit in beta thalassemia patients by enhancing hemoglobin and hematopoietic gene expression: A non-randomized clinical trial
Inayat Ur Rahman , Muhammad Tariq Masood Khan , Zahid Ali , Shafiq Ahmad , Muhammad Shahid , Shafaq Zafar , Faheela Faizi Aamir , Imran Khan , Muhammad Ali , Musharraf Jelani , Khalid Khan , Nafees Ahmad , Yasar Yousafzai , Afsar Ali Mian , Sami Siraj
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Bacground
Transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) requires regular transfusions, often causing iron overload and organ damage. Thalidomide, a fetal hemoglobin (HbF) inducer, may reduce transfusion needs, but scientific data are limited.
Methods
This two-arm, non-randomized clinical trial followed a total of 164 TDT patients over 30 months: 72 received thalidomide and 92 underwent standard transfusions. Complete blood count was assessed at baseline and 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months. SNP genotyping and β-globin mutation analysis were performed using sanger sequencing. GATA-1 and KLF gene expression were assessed at baseline and after 30 months via qRT-PCR
Results
Hemoglobin level in the thalidomide group significantly increased from 6.12 ± 0.65 g/dL to 8.36 ± 2.04 g/dL (p < 0.001). Among thalidomide-treated patients, 34.7 % were excellent responders (ER), 25 % good responders (GR), 13.9 % partial responders (PR), and 26.4 % non-responders (NR). ERs showed the highest GATA-1 [3.09 (IQR 2.0–3.38)] and KLF [3.24 (IQR 3.01–5.42)] expression levels (p < 0.001). Better response was observed in patients with AFT >12 months and those carrying the minor allele C at HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 (p < 0.05)
Conclusion
Thalidomide effectively increases hemoglobin levels and reduces transfusion needs in TDT patients, particularly through upregulation of GATA-1 and KLF. AFT and SNP genotype at HBS1L-MYB rs9399137 may help predict response
期刊介绍:
Blood Cells, Molecules & Diseases emphasizes not only blood cells, but also covers the molecular basis of hematologic disease and studies of the diseases themselves. This is an invaluable resource to all those interested in the study of hematology, cell biology, immunology, and human genetics.