Renal function in patients with thalassemia major receiving Exjade ® dispersible tablets and a new film-coated tablet formulation of deferasirox (Nanojade ®)

Abstract

Background: In patients with β-thalassemia major (TM), one of the long-term complications of regular blood transfusion is renal dysfunction. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the renal function in TM patients receiving Exjade ® dispersible tablets and a new film-coated tablet formulation of deferasirox (Nanojade ®). Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 80 TM patients aged 11-48-year-old entered the study. Patients received 20-30 mg/kg/d (single dose) Exjade® (Exjade group, n = 40) and Nanojade® (Nanojade group, n = 40) orally. To evaluated renal function, serum creatinine (S Cr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-h urine protein (U Pro), U Ca /U Cr, spot U Pro /U Cr ratio, and serum ferritin were calculated at baseline and every 3 months to 9 months. Results: There was no significant difference in S Cr, BUN, eGFR, 24-h U Pro, U Pro /U Cr ratio, U Ca /U Cr ratio, and serum ferritin between groups at baseline and end of study (P baseline > 0.05, P end of study > 0.05). There was no significant difference in proteinuria between groups at baseline and end of study (P baseline > 0.05, P end of study > 0.05). Conclusions: The proportion of S Cr, BUN, eGFR, 24-h U Pro, U Pro /U Cr ratio, and U Ca /U Cr ratio was not significantly different in TM patients treated with Nanojade ® compared to patients' received Exjade ®. Nanojade ® had similar effects to Exjade ®, and therefore, the use of Nanojade ® is safe in TM patients and does not seem to be associated with increased renal failure, proteinuria, and hypercalciuria.