Clinical Trial: Extension Study of Iron Chelation Therapy With Deferasirox in β-thalassemia and Rare Chronic Anemia Patients

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Extension Study of Iron Chelation Therapy With Deferasirox in β-thalassemia and Other Patients With Rare Chronic Anemia and Transfusional Iron Overload

Brief Summary:

A 1-year randomized Phase II core trial was conducted to investigate the efficacy of deferasirox in regularly transfused patients with β-thalassemia and other rare chronic anemia 2 years of age and older. Patients who successfully completed the main trial may continue in the extension trial to receive chelation therapy with deferasirox for up to 3 years. Extension was prolonged to 4 years.

The objective of this study is to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of deferasirox in these patient groups.


Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Current Primary Outcome: The Number of Participants With Adverse Events (AEs), Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) or Deaths [ Time Frame: Core study Baseline to the end of the study (up to 60 months) ]

Safety was assessed using reports of adverse events of all participants in this study. Serious adverse events are those events that resulted in death, were life threatening, required inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, resulted in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, or was a congenital anomaly/birth defect.


Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • The Change in Liver Iron Content (LIC) as Assessed by Liver Biopsy at Baseline to the End of the Study [ Time Frame: Core study Baseline to end of extension study (up to 60 months) ]
    Liver iron concentration was monitored at the start of the core study, the end of the core study, and then at the end of the extension study. High-risk participants, like participants with rare anemia, were excluded from any further potential liver biopsy, except if required and justified by the Investigator for the general care of the participant.
  • The Absolute Change in Liver Iron Content (LIC) as Assessed by Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) From Baseline to End of Study [ Time Frame: Core study Baseline to end of extension study (up to 60 months) ]
    Liver iron concentration was monitored at the end of the core study and then at the end of the extension study. High-risk participants, like participants with rare anemia, were excluded from any further potential liver biopsy, except if required and justified by the Investigator for the general care of the participant. Pediatric participants or participants with a medical contraindication to liver biopsy were allowed the use of SQUID in the extension study.
  • The Absolute Change in Serum Ferritin (μg/L) Levels From Baseline to the End of the Study [ Time Frame: Core study Baseline to end of extension study (up to 60 months) ]
    Serum ferritin was monitored monthly and the dose of deferasirox was increased or decreased in steps of 5 to 10 mg/kg/day up to a maximum of 40 mg/kg/day if appropriate, every 3 months. If serum ferritin fell to 500 ng/mL or lower on two consecutive study visits, an interruption of treatment until serum ferritin was more than 500 ng/mL was considered.


Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: Novartis

Dates:
Date Received: October 14, 2005
Date Started: March 2004
Date Completion:
Last Updated: April 15, 2011
Last Verified: April 2011