Chaim Hershko – författare

Iron research has yielded exciting insights into the understanding of normal iron homeostasis. Information has been gained on the molecular basis of aberrant iron handling in hereditary disorders and the pathophysiology of iron overload. Such development, and the evolution of improved strategies of iron chelating therapy require better understanding of the pathophysiology of iron toxicity and the mechanism of action of iron chelating drugs. This volume highlights the impact of long term iron chelating therapy using deferoxamine or the new, but controversial oral iron chelator deferiprone based on experience gained by multicenter trails, with special emphasis on survival, morbidity and drug toxicity; it reviews the development of the improved orally effective chelators suitable for clinical use in the near future and examines novel strategies of iron chelating treatment for the control of cell proliferation in malignant disease or malaria.

This book summarizes the most current research on the anemia of chronic disease and identifies effective diagnostic strategies for this common clinical condition-covering key topics related to the design and selection of therapeutic options including the treatment of the underlying disease, the biology of erythropoietin and the regulation of erythropoiesis, the disturbance of iron homeostasis, and the complex nature of the systemic inflammatory response.

This book summarizes the most current research on the anemia of chronic disease and identifies effective diagnostic strategies for this common clinical condition-covering key topics related to the design and selection of therapeutic options including the treatment of the underlying disease, the biology of erythropoietin and the regulation of erythropoiesis, the disturbance of iron homeostasis, and the complex nature of the systemic inflammatory response.

This book summarizes the most current research on the anemia of chronic disease and identifies effective diagnostic strategies for this common clinical condition-covering key topics related to the design and selection of therapeutic options including the treatment of the underlying disease, the biology of erythropoietin and the regulation of erythropoiesis, the disturbance of iron homeostasis, and the complex nature of the systemic inflammatory response.

Within the last few years, iron research has yielded exciting new insights into the under­ standing of normal iron homeostasis. However, normal iron physiology offers little protec­ tion from the toxic effects of pathological iron accumulation, because nature did not equip us with effective mechanisms of iron excretion. Excess iron may be effectively removed by phlebotomy in hereditary hemochromatosis, but this method cannot be applied to chronic anemias associated with iron overload. In these diseases, iron chelating therapy is the only method available for preventing early death caused mainly by myocardial and hepatic iron toxicity. Iron chelating therapy has changed the quality of life and life expectancy of thalassemic patients. However, the high cost and rigorous requirements of deferoxamine therapy, and the significant toxicity of deferiprone underline the need for the continued development of new and improved orally effective iron chelators. Such development, and the evolution of improved strategies of iron chelating therapy require better understanding of the pathophysiology of iron toxicity and the mechanism of action of iron chelating drugs. The timeliness of the present volume is underlined by several significant develop­ ments in recent years. New insights have been gained into the molecular basis of aberrant iron handling in hereditary disorders and the pathophysiology of iron overload (Chapters 1-5).

The 4th International Conference on Hemochromatosis and the 11th International Conference on Iron and Iron Proteins took place in Jerusalem on April 27 -30 and on May 2 -7 1993, respectively. The first, a clinical meeting, and the second, a forum designed primarily for basic scientists. Both meetings are held regularly on alter­ nate years and represent probably the most important forum for the exchange of information in iron research. The present volume "Progress in Iron Research" is based on a selection of presentations delivered at these meetings. However, this volume represents much more than a publication of conference proceedings. It offers a comprehensive state-of-the-art review on most aspects of iron metabolism. We have tried to offer a balanced review of the most important recent developments in iron research including both basic research and clinical investigation. However, the scope of chapters was based, by definition, on the actual participants at the meetings and some important fields in iron research such as plant physiology, microbial aspects of iron metabolism, and free radical research have not been dealt with. Many of the authors of the 40 chapters have beel). pt1rsonally responsible for some of the most important developments in iron research ~~vidffig: n~~~ights into iron physiology and pathophysiology. The Editors wish to express their gratitude for the outstanding and timely cooperation of all contributors to this volume.

Within the last few years, iron research has yielded exciting new insights into the under­ standing of normal iron homeostasis. However, normal iron physiology offers little protec­ tion from the toxic effects of pathological iron accumulation, because nature did not equip us with effective mechanisms of iron excretion. Excess iron may be effectively removed by phlebotomy in hereditary hemochromatosis, but this method cannot be applied to chronic anemias associated with iron overload. In these diseases, iron chelating therapy is the only method available for preventing early death caused mainly by myocardial and hepatic iron toxicity. Iron chelating therapy has changed the quality of life and life expectancy of thalassemic patients. However, the high cost and rigorous requirements of deferoxamine therapy, and the significant toxicity of deferiprone underline the need for the continued development of new and improved orally effective iron chelators. Such development, and the evolution of improved strategies of iron chelating therapy require better understanding of the pathophysiology of iron toxicity and the mechanism of action of iron chelating drugs. The timeliness of the present volume is underlined by several significant develop­ ments in recent years. New insights have been gained into the molecular basis of aberrant iron handling in hereditary disorders and the pathophysiology of iron overload (Chapters 1-5).