Repeated red blood cell transfusions can lead to relevant secondary iron overload in some people with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) particularly of lower risk groups over the course of their disease. Drugs to remove the excess iron (iron chelation therapy) might be indicated to prevent organ complications. Since the new oral iron chelator deferasirox has become available, iron chelation therapy is offered more widely to people with MDS. Several current clinical practice guidelines suggest consideration of iron chelation therapy for people with MDS of lower risk groups. These recommendations are based on retrospective data or observational studies.
However, these recommendations cannot yet be supported by data from high quality, randomised controlled trials. No completed trial evaluating the effects of deferasirox in MDS patients could be identified. One ongoing trial investigating deferasirox in people with MDS of lower risk groups (low and intermediate-1 risk MDS) was identified by this review. Once available, these results will be important to inform physicians and patients on advantages and disadvantages of this treatment option.