"Gattermann et al. [Haematologica, 2012; 97(9): 1364-1371] have recently published
 data on the impact of chelation therapy with deferasirox (Exjade) on hemoglobin levels,
 platelet counts, and neutrophil counts in patients with transfusion-dependent MDS.
To be included in the trial, patients must have:

1. Been diagnosed with iron overload (serum ferritin > 1,000 μg/L or LIC > 2 mg-Fe/g-dw)
2. Had a history of multiple blood transfusions (> 20 transfusions or > 100 ml/Kg
3.  of RBCs)
4. Not be on a concomitant disease modifying agent for MDS (e.g., Vidaza, Dacogen,
5.  Revlimid)

Recruited patients were treated with deferasirox for 1 year of active treatment – there
was no control arm in the trial design.  The following table summarizes the main study findings:"

	Erythroid analysis	Platelet analysis	Neutrophil analysis
Eligible patients	247	100	50
Inclusion criteria	Pre-treatment HB < 11 g/dl, OR RBC transfusion requirements > 4 units per 8 weeks	Pre-treatment platelets < 100 x 109/L	Pre-treatment ANC < 1.0 x 109/L
Definition of response	HB increase > 1.5g/dL, OR reduction of ≥ 4 RBC transfusions per 8 weeks	Increase > 30 x 109/L for patients below 20 x 109/L, or > 100% increase	> 100% increase, AND absolute increase > 0.5 x 109/L
Response rate	21.5%	13%	22%
Median days to response	109	169	226
Mean actual deferasirox dose, mg/kg/day	~19.3	~19.5	~18.8