Hydroxyurea in the management of thalassemia intermedia.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antineoplastic agent that enhances fetal hemoglobin. The clinical significance induced by this compound is well known in sickle cell disease. This clinical significance could also be expected in beta-thalassemia patients. Although studies on beta-thalassemia major patients showed significant results, but these clinical responses are expected to be more in thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients because of lesser alpha/beta globin imbalance. Studies showed that HU therapy in TI patients has significant effects on increasing Hb levels that can cause reducing blood transfusion dependency and transfusion free in some patients, decreasing skeletal deformities and splenomegaly and increasing energy state. So HU therapy could be a useful alternative to blood transfusion in some TI patients.