Treatment of beta-thalassemia with hydroxyurea (HU)--effects of HU on globin gene expression.

Abstract

A newly developed method of RT-PCR/competitive PCR for measuring the relative and absolute content of globin mRNAs as well as micro-globin chain biosynthetic assay have been used to study the alterations of globin gene expressions in the patients with beta-thalassemia pre- and post-hydroxyurea (HU) treatment. It was found for the first time that HU had the effect of enhancing beta-globin gene expression in some patients. Two cases with beta-thalassemia who were subjected to HU treatment for over two years showed a marked increase in beta-globin mRNA level and beta-globin chain synthesis, resulting in more effective erythropoiesis and the alleviation of clinical symptoms.