Progress in iron chelators: the report of the 53rd annual meeting of American Society of Hematology

Chelation therapy could remove transfusional iron burden. Three chelators are currently available, including deferoxamine, deferiprone, and deferasirox, which can be used as monotherapy or in combination. Several factors must be considered in the design of optimal and individualized chelation regimens,which include chelator availability and its properties,degree of organ-specific iron loading,ongoing transfusional iron burden, and patient preference. Comparative effectiveness trials may help to determine the ideal strategy. This article reviews latest research presented at the 53rd annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) on the use of iron chelators. Key words: Iron chelating agents; Hematologic disease; American Society of Hematology annual meeting