Thalassemia Patients and Friends
Discussion Forums => Iron Chelation Corner => Topic started by: Andy Battaglia on December 13, 2007, 01:57:34 AM
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In a study just released by ASH (American Society of Hematology), Exjade has been shown to be both safe and effective for children aged two and older. Although Exjade has already been approved for children as young as two in the US, this should lead to its approval in more countries, now that the evidence is in. This will be a major development for parents who can afford Exjade and hopefully will lead to more pressure on Novartis to lower the price.
From http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/852571020057CCF6852573AD004F5CE6
ATLANTA, GA -- December 10, 2007 -- The oral iron chelator deferasirox (Exjade) remains effective against iron overload for several years, according to results from studies presented here at the 49th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Most notably, deferasirox showed long-term efficacy and safety in patients with sickle cell disease, including adults, and in children as young as 2 years old with various types of transfusion-treated anemia.
The sickle cell results were described in a poster presentation on December 8 at a press briefing by Elliott Vichinsky, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California...No major differences in serum ferritin levels between children and adults were seen, Dr. Vichinsky said, with both groups showing stable or gradually declining ferritin levels. There was a trend toward increased efficacy with higher doses...Another study presented at ASH reported similar results from extensions of four pediatric trials of deferasirox in patients with beta-thalassemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, sickle cell disease, and other types of anemia...Another oral iron chelator, deferiprone, is available in numerous countries worldwide but not in the US or Canada.
The study was funded by Novartis, makers of deferasirox.
Hopefully this will mean many children will never have the experience of the pump and needle.
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That's great Andy, that will ease up parents and patients minds in taking Exjade. They don't have to worry about side effects that might happen to the their child or to patient's who are taking the medicine......
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I hope that my son can use Exjade soon...
Sharmin
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Andy, This is a great article. Exjade is not approved for children under six in Canada and now a case can be developed to include such. My daughter four and a half is starting Exjade in January of 2008 and we are relatively at ease now since it has some study in US for children under six. Recently my daughter is regarded as special case for Exjade in Canada, we are contacted by Norvatis for ongoing studies and asking our permission to participate which we have agreed on.
Regards
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Its really a great news for small loves one and parents as well.
:goodluck Canadian_Family for your daughter, I hope she responds good with Exjade.
Love
Dimple