
Hematology Specialist Association 18. National Congress
Mais dadosThalassemia Major is a disorder of ineffective erythropoiesis with severe anemia, often requiring transfusions of RBCs throughout life. Transfusions are often required so frequently that the risk for iron overload and other complications strongly impairs the quality of life. Recently, this new erythroid maturation agent, luspatercept, has shown promise in reducing the transfusion requirements in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia.
Case ReportA 40-year-old male patient with Thalassemia Major has been receiving regular erythrocyte suspensions since 2011, amounting to a total of 472 units by November 2023. The patient initially required an average of 2 units of RBCs per month to manage symptoms of fatigue and anemia. On February 17, 2023, the Luspatercept therapy was started at 75 mg every three weeks. Over the span of 22 treatments, one week after another, the need for RBC transfusions gradually diminished. The last transfusion was on November 21, 2023. The patient has since then maintained stable hemoglobin without further transfusion needs for approximately 10 months, a very impressive clinical improvement.
DiscussionTherefore, this case offers a real-world view of the regard in which luspatercept proves effective in reducing transfusion requirements among patients suffering from Thalassemia Major. The sustained response for a period beyond 10 months really opens up possibilities for an overall better quality of life and reduction of the transfusion burden, which are important objectives in the management of transfusion-dependent patients. This report underlines early adoption of novel therapies such as luspatercept, which is considered instrumental in lessening complications resulting from chronic transfusions. This needs further studies and clinical discussions to optimize the dosing and duration of treatment in similar patients. This case adds to the growing body of evidence regarding the integration of erythroid maturation agents into standard management in patients with thalassemia.