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Current primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) treatments focus on limiting hematoma volume by lowering blood pressure, reversing anticoagulation, or hematoma evacuation. Nevertheless, there is no effective strategy to protect the brain from secondary injury due to ICH. Excess heme and iron as by-products of lysing clots in ICH might contribute to this secondary injury by triggering perihematomal edema. We present a clinical situation of an ICH case where iron-chelating therapy might be beneficial, as supported by scientific evidence. We looked through four databases (Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar) to find studies assessing the efficacy of iron-chelating therapy in ICH patients. Validity, importance, and applicability (VIA) of the included articles were appraised using worksheets from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Two out of five eligible studies were valid, important, and applicable to our patient. Both studies showed the positive effects of iron-chelating therapy on neurological outcome, as measured by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and modified Rankin Score (mRS). The beneficial effects of deferoxamine were demonstrated within the moderate volume (10–30 mL) subgroup, with a positive relative risk reduction (RRR) and low number needed to treat (six persons). Based on our appraisal, we considered iron-chelating therapy as an additional therapy for ICH patients, given its benefits and adverse effects. More specific studies using a larger sample size, focusing on moderate-volume ICH, and using standardized neurological outcomes are encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) treatments focus on limiting hematoma volume by lowering blood pressure, reversing anticoagulation, or hematoma evacuation. Nevertheless, there is no effective strategy to protect the brain from secondary injury due to ICH. Excess heme and iron as by-products of lysing clots in ICH might contribute to this secondary injury by triggering perihematomal edema. We present a clinical situation of an ICH case where iron-chelating therapy might be beneficial, as supported by scientific evidence. We looked through four databases (Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar) to find studies assessing the efficacy of iron-chelating therapy in ICH patients. Validity, importance, and applicability (VIA) of the included articles were appraised using worksheets from the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Two out of five eligible studies were valid, important, and applicable to our patient. Both studies showed the positive effects of iron-chelating therapy on neurological outcome, as measured by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and modified Rankin Score (mRS). The beneficial effects of deferoxamine were demonstrated within the moderate volume (10–30 mL) subgroup, with a positive relative risk reduction (RRR) and low number needed to treat (six persons). Based on our appraisal, we considered iron-chelating therapy as an additional therapy for ICH patients, given its benefits and adverse effects. More specific studies using a larger sample size, focusing on moderate-volume ICH, and using standardized neurological outcomes are encouraged.

Iron has a pivotal role in homeostasis due to its participation in virtually all of the body's oxidationreduction processes. However, iron can also be considered a double-edged weapon, as its excess may lead to an increased risk of developing cancer, presumably by the generation of reactive oxygen species, and its role as substrate to enzymes that participate in cell proliferation. Thus, iron might as well be considered a cofactor in tumour cell proliferation. In certain pathological conditions, such as haemochromatosis, hepatitis B and C virus infection, asbestosis and endometriosis, iron overload may increase the risk of cancer. By contrast, iron depletion could be considered a useful adjunct in antitumour therapy. This paper reviews the current scientific evidence behind iron's role as a protumoral agent, and the potential benefit of a state of iron depletion in patients with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ALLO-HSCT) is a potentially curative approach to treat β-thalassemia major (β-TM)., Objective and Methods: To assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with β-TM after ALLO-HSCT, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and MEDLINE for articles on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with β-TM from 1 Feb 2020 to 31 Mar 2020., Results: Our review revealed that the QOL of patients with β-TM after ALLO-HSCT from a sibling donor is higher than that of patients that received blood infusion and iron-chelating therapy. Survivors of ALLO-HSCT have a QOL as good as that of a healthy population and the ability to return to normal life. However, studies thus far are limited to investigations with a few patients with β-TM who received ALLO-HSCT of the bone marrow (BM) from a sibling donor or related donor. Graft vs. host disease, patient age, gender, sexual desire, health condition, psychological state, financial and employment stress, and social support contributed to a worse QOL after ALLO-HSCT. Medicine usage, physical therapy, and psychological intervention may help improve the decline in QOL related to ALLO-HSCT in patients with β-TM., Conclusion: Doctors and nurses must focus on implementing medicine usage, physical therapy, and psychological intervention to improve the decline in QOL related to ALLO-HSCT., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)