Deferiprone for thalassaemia

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication inhibition by the bidentate iron chelators CP502 and CP511 is caused by proliferation inhibition and the onset of apoptosis

“…The use of this drug has been recommended in patients suffering from iron overload, who cannot receive DF (in cases where the cost of this drug cannot be met) or cannot tolerate the drug [13]. The most commonly used and for a few decades the only chelator available in the clinic, is the hexadentate DF.…”

“…1,2-Dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one (deferiprone or CP20 or L1), an orally active iron chelator, has been presented as an alternate chelator subsequent to the meeting of the 10th International Conference on Oral Chelation (22-26 March, 2000, Limassol, Cyprus). The use of this drug has been recommended in patients suffering from iron overload, who cannot receive DF (in cases where the cost of this drug cannot be met) or cannot tolerate the drug [13]. Ongoing research includes the development of suitable bidentate iron chelators that can be administered orally, are absorbed easily from the gastrointestinal tract, possess a high pFe 3+ value and low toxicity.…”

Practical management of iron overload

“…Indications, dose and frequency There is still uncertainty about the long‐term efficacy of this drug (Pippard & Weatherall, 2000a). Thus, while some are wary of recommending deferiprone, even as second line‐therapy (Pippard & Weatherall, 2000b), others are enthusiastic about extending its use (Wonke et al , 1998; Kontoghiorghes et al 2000). This uncertainty is also reflected by the recent licensing of the drug by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) in Europe but not by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA.…”

Molecular Factors Affecting the Complex Formation between Deferiprone (L1) and Cu(II)

“…As a result of these drawbacks of deferoxamine, only a small percentage of patients needing chelation therapy worldwide are receiving effective treatment. L1 is now being offered as an alternative form of treatment for such patients as it is orally active and much cheaper to produce [5].…”