Active clinical trials for "Iron Overload"

This is a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional study. Findings are analyzed using epidemiological methods.

The goal of this study is to examine the impact of iron overload in patients undergoing a bone marrow transplant. We believe that the iron status in these patients is associated with complications for transplant survivors. We will examine the iron status in these patients by MRI and by screening for mutations in genes known to cause iron overload. We will also determine the levels of hepcidin (a hormone produced in the liver that appears to regulate iron homeostasis) from blood and urine.

Sickle cell anemia and Sickle cell β thalassemia patients require multiple transfusions in order to avoid chronic anemia sequel. This regimen entails intrinsic deleterious effects, the majority of which are related to iron deposition in the reticuloendothelial system. Thus, iron is deposited in hepatic, myocardial and endocrine glands tissues. Tools available for iron load evaluation include serum ferrtin levels, liver biopsy and echocardiography, all are non specific. The purpose of this work is to compare iron overload in the liver, heart and pancreas in Sickle cell anemia and Sickle cell β thalassemia patients using T2* MRI sequences.

To determine the prevalence, genetic and environmental determinants, and potential clinical, personal, and societal impact of iron overload and hereditary hemochromatosis, in a multi-center, multiethnic, primary care-based sample of 100,000 adults. The study is conducted by the Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications of the NHLBI, the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources of the NHLBI, and the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research Program of the NHGRI.

The purpose of study is to evaluate and compare the effect of iron supplementation when given as iron tablet or fortified biscuit or combined with zinc in the form of tablet on morbidity and iron toxicity markers among children aged 24-36 months.

The proposed research project will continue the application and development of a new method (biomagnetic susceptometry) that measures magnetic fields to determine how much iron is in the liver. The amount of iron in the liver is the best indicator of the amount of iron in the whole body. Measuring the amount of iron in the body is important because either too much (iron overload) or too little iron (iron deficiency) can be harmful. At present, the most reliable way to measure the amount of iron in the liver is to remove a sample of the liver by biopsy, either by surgery or by using a needle which pierces the skin and liver. Iron stored in the liver can be magnetized to a small degree when placed in a magnetic field. In patients with iron overload, the investigators previous studies have shown that magnetic measurements of liver iron in patients with iron overload are quantitatively equivalent to biochemical determinations on tissue obtained by biopsy. In the past the investigators have developed a device to measure the amount of magnetization, which was called a SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) susceptometer. This device was validated and in use for over 20 years. The safety, ease, rapidity and comfort of magnetic measurements make frequent, serial studies technically feasible and practically acceptable to patients. The investigators have now developed a new susceptometer, which uses very similar technology to the SQUID, but the investigators believe is more accurate and precise. This study aims to validate this new instrument. The investigators will do prospective, serial studies of the diagnosis and management of patients with iron overload, including thalassemia major (Cooley's anemia), sickle cell disease, aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia, hereditary hemochromatosis, and other disorders. Funding Source - FDA OOPD.

RATIONALE: Learning about the effect of excess iron in the liver of patients undergoing donor stem cell transplant may help doctors plan treatment. PURPOSE: This study is investigating the effects of iron overload in patients undergoing donor stem cell transplant.

This registry will evaluate long-term safety and efficacy of deferasirox in children with transfusional iron overload.

Observational, open label, prospective, multi-center, post-marketing drug surveillance program.

Iron overload (hemochromatosis) is a condition which causes the intestines to take too much iron into the body from food or pills. The extra iron can build up in the liver, heart, joints, pancreas, sex organs, and other organs. Patients with iron overload can feel well initially, but the iron will eventually damage organs and may lead to an early death. The condition is believed to be passed down from generation to generation. Many studies have been conducted on the condition as it affects Caucasian Americans, few have addressed the condition in African Americans. Researchers believe it is important to find out as much as possible about the iron overload in African Americans. The goal of this study is to determine the pattern of inheritance of primary iron overload in African American families and to identify the genetic defect causing the condition. The study will use various tests from simple blood testing (transferritin saturation and serum ferritin levels) to complex genetic tests (segregation analysis and polymerase chain reaction [PCR]). The tests will help researchers deterimine iron levels in the blood, presence of antigens that may help trace inheritance, and detect changes in genes that are known to cause iron overload in Caucasians. The study may not directly benefit the patients participating in it. However, this study may lead to improved methods to diagnose iron overload in the African American population as a whole.