Deciphering Effects of Thalidomide on Red Blood Cells in Transfusion Dependents Beta Thalassemia Patients

The goal of this Non-Randomized Clinical Trial is to determine the effects of thalidomide on red blood cells in transfusion dependent beta thalassemia patients. The main aims of this study are: * To determine the therapeutic effect of Thalidomide on hemoglobin. * To analyze association of different β- globin mutations with response to thalidomide in β-thalassemia patients. * To analyze association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPS) of HBG2, BCL11A and HBS1L-MYB with response to thalidomide in β-thalassemia patients. * To correlate GATA1 and KLF1 gene expression with response to thalidomide in β-thalassemia patients. Patients will be grouped into thalidomide and non-thalidomide groups on the basis of their willingness to receive thalidomide therapy. Thalidomide will be given at an average dose of 1.5mg/kg/day (range 1-2mg/kg/day). Patients will be followed up for 12 months and data will be collected at different visits. After 12 months of thalidomide therapy patients will be divided into responders and non-responders for comparative analyses on the basis of increase in hemoglobin level.