Low Dose Iron Chelation as TReatment of Oxidative Damage in Sickle Cell Disease

Objective: To study the safety and efficacy of deferasirox as treatment of oxidative stress in adult subjects with sickle cell disease. Endpoints: The investigators will determine whether treatment with iron chelators results in decreased sickling of RBCs, oxidative stress, neutrophil activation, inflammation, endothelial activation and hypercoagulability and ultimately reduced disease severity. If the hypothesis is confirmed in this pilot dose-finding study, a larger randomized controlled clinical trial will be initiated. Study design: This will be an open-label pilot study, including 12 patients per dose group with a maximum of 3 dose groups. As the antioxidant capacity of deferasirox might be dose-dependent, the investigators will start with the highest dose of deferasirox (360 mg) deemed adequate for chronic use without causing iron depletion in adult SCD patients. Study population: Adult patients with sickle cell anemia (HbSS) or HbS-β0-thalassemia (HbSβ0-thal) visiting the outpatient-clinic of the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam will be asked for inclusion in the study.