Reytrhopoietin for anemia of thalassemia – pro
There is some literature evidence that erythropoietin therapy can increase red counts in patients with thalassemia. IN nin-dialysis patients, there is little benefit tot eh use of erythropoietin. A study by Chaidos et al concluded: “HbF values presented a slight, non-significant increase. rHuEPO treatment has a beneficial effect in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients. Although a slight increase in HbF levels was observed, other possible mechanisms are probably involved.” There are other studies that suggest taht erythropoietin may ahve some positive benefit or effect. I am not aware of any guidelines that support its use for thalassemia.
A. Chaidos et al, Treatment of beta-thalassemia patients with recombinant human erythropoietin: effect on transfusion requirements and soluble adhesion molecules. Acta Haematol . 2004;111(4): 189-95
Carla Casu , Mariateresa Pettinato , Alison Liu , Mariam Aghajan , Vania Lo Presti , Maria Rosa Lidonnici , Kevin A. Munoz , Emir O’Hara , Violante Olivari , Simona Maria Di Modica , Sheri Booten , Shuling Guo , Garry Neil , Reem Miari , Nir Shapir , Inbal Zafir-Lavie , Hagit Domev , Giuliana Ferrari , Despina Sitara , Antonella Nai , Stefano Rivella, Correcting β-thalassemia by combined therapies that restrict iron and modulate erythropoietin activity. Blood (2020) 136 (17): 1968–1979