ThalassemiaFEROUSANCT07352878
Evaluation of the Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Iron Overload Due to Hemoglobinopathies in Greece.
An observational study of Thalassemia and Iron Overload, run by Elpen Pharmaceutical Co. Inc..
Trial summary
This observational clinical study aims to evaluate the HRQoL of thalassemia patients with iron overload in Greece, who are under treatment with deferasirox based on standard clinical practice. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Thalassemia, Iron Overload
- How many people
- 150 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 15 Apr 2026to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 100 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Adult patients with major beta-thalassemia with iron overload due to frequent blood transfusions (≥7 ml/kg/month of packed red blood cells) will be included in the study and who were receiving deferasirox before their inclusion in the study (90, 180, 360, 900 mg) and at their inclusion require treatment with deferasirox at least 900 mg, as part of the treatment of chronic iron overload and according to the SPC.
Who may be able to join
- 1. Adult patients (≥ 18 years). 2. Patients with major beta-thalassemia with iron overload due to frequent blood transfusions (≥7 ml/kg/month of packed red blood cells).
- 3. Patients with chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions if deferoxamine therapy is contraindicated or insufficient in the following patient groups:
- adult patients with major beta-thalassemia with iron overload due to infrequent blood transfusions (<7 ml/kg/month of packed red blood cells).
- adult patients with other types of anemia.
- 4. Patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia syndromes with chronic iron overload requiring chelation therapy when deferoxamine therapy is contraindicated or insufficient.
- 5. Patients who were receiving deferasirox before their inclusion in the study (90, 180, 360, 900 mg) and at their inclusion require treatment with deferasirox at least 900 mg, as part of the treatment of chronic iron overload and according to the SPC.
- 6. Consent and compliance of participants with the treatments and procedures of the study.
- 7. Patients for whom data from the last six months from the date of inclusion (medical history, concomitant medication) are available to determine the endpoints.
Who cannot join
- 1. Patients under 18 years of age. 2. Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. 3. Patients with a contraindication to taking deferasirox 90, 180, 360, 900 mg according to the drug's SmPC.
- 4. Patients receiving or expect to receive another chelating agent (e.g. deferoxamine, deferiprone) in addition to deferasirox, during the study.
- 5. Patients with a history of mental illness, substance abuse, to a degree that may prevent their participation in the study.
- 6. Patients are participating in another research protocol.
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Iron Overload Due to Hemoglobinopathies in Greece, Who Are Under Treatment With Deferasirox, Based on Standard Clinical Practice.
This observational clinical study aims to evaluate the HRQoL of thalassemia patients with iron overload in Greece, who are under treatment with deferasirox based on standard clinical practice.
Read the detailed description
The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in thalassemic patients with iron overload offers a holistic approach to the disease and leads to better communication between physicians and patients. This prospective, non-interventional, observational clinical study aims to evaluate the HRQoL, adherence to deferasirox treatment and treatment effectiveness as well as patients' satisfaction and safety with deferasirox.
All participants will complete a set of questionnaires and scales for QoL, adherence to treatment, and satisfaction of the treatment for iron overload. Demographic and clinical characteristics will be recorded to define patient subgroups based on the study protocol.
- Conditions
- Thalassemia, Iron Overload
- Keywords
- quality of life, iron overload, treatment satisfaction
- Medical subject headings
- Thalassemia, Iron Overload
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with chronic iron overload
Score of the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36v2) questionnaire
Measured: Score of the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36v2) questionnaire at baseline, at 6 and at 12 months and the change from baseline and among at 6 and 12 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Jan 2026
- Study start15 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (7)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for ThalassemiaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Elpen Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Collaborators
- Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital of Athens
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Alexandros Ginis, MD, Study director, Elpen Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07352878
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-DEF-EL-256
- Acronym
- FEROUSA
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Kattamis A, Aydinok Y, Taher A. Optimising management of deferasirox therapy for patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia and lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Eur J Haematol. 2018 Sep;101(3):272-282. doi: 10.1111/ejh.13111. Epub 2018 Jul 27.
PubMed 29904950Voskaridou E, Kattamis A, Fragodimitri C, Kourakli A, Chalkia P, Diamantidis M, Vlachaki E, Drosou M, Lafioniatis S, Maragkos K, Petropoulou F, Eftihiadis E, Economou M, Klironomos E, Koutsouka F, Nestora K, Tzoumari I, Papageorgiou O, Basileiadi A, Lafiatis I, Dimitriadou E, Kalpaka A, Kalkana C, Xanthopoulidis G, Adamopoulos I, Kaiafas P, Mpitzioni A, Goula A, Kontonis I, Alepi C, Anastasiadis A, Papadopoulou M, Maili P, Dionisopoulou D, Tsirka A, Makis A, Kostaridou S, Politou M, Papassotiriou I; Greek Haemoglobinopathies Study Group. National registry of hemoglobinopathies in Greece: updated demographics, current trends in affected births, and causes of mortality. Ann Hematol. 2019 Jan;98(1):55-66. doi: 10.1007/s00277-018-3493-4. Epub 2018 Sep 8.
PubMed 30196444Arian M, Mirmohammadkhani M, Ghorbani R, Soleimani M. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) patients assessed by 36-item short form health survey (SF-36): a meta-analysis. Qual Life Res. 2019 Feb;28(2):321-334. doi: 10.1007/s11136-018-1986-1. Epub 2018 Sep 7.
PubMed 30194626Tartaglione I, Origa R, Kattamis A, Pfeilstocker M, Gunes S, Crowe S, Fagan N, Vincenzi B, Ruffo GB. Two-year long safety and efficacy of deferasirox film-coated tablets in patients with thalassemia or lower/intermediate risk MDS: phase 3 results from a subset of patients previously treated with deferasirox in the ECLIPSE study. Exp Hematol Oncol. 2020 Aug 10;9:20. doi: 10.1186/s40164-020-00174-2. eCollection 2020.
PubMed 32793403Goulas V, Kouraklis-Symeonidis A, Manousou K, Lazaris V, Pairas G, Katsaouni P, Verigou E, Labropoulou V, Pesli V, Kaiafas P, Papageorgiou U, Symeonidis A. A multicenter cross-sectional study of the quality of life and iron chelation treatment satisfaction of patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, in routine care settings in Western Greece. Qual Life Res. 2021 Feb;30(2):467-477. doi: 10.1007/s11136-020-02634-y. Epub 2020 Sep 13.
PubMed 32920766Lai YR, Cappellini MD, Aydinok Y, Porter J, Karakas Z, Viprakasit V, Siritanaratkul N, Kattamis A, Liu R, Izquierdo M, Lasher J, Govindaraju S, Taher A. An open-label, multicenter, efficacy, and safety study of deferasirox in iron-overloaded patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (THETIS): 5-year results. Am J Hematol. 2022 Aug;97(8):E281-E284. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26592. Epub 2022 May 27. No abstract available.
PubMed 35560253Klonizakis P, Klaassen R, Sousos N, Liakos A, Tsapas A, Vlachaki E. Evaluation of the Greek TranQol: a novel questionnaire for measuring quality of life in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. Ann Hematol. 2017 Nov;96(11):1937-1944. doi: 10.1007/s00277-017-3122-7. Epub 2017 Sep 7.
PubMed 28884221
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Iron Overload Due to Hemoglobinopathies in Greece, Who Are Under Treatment With Deferasirox, Based on Standard Clinical Practice.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07352878
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- FEROUSA / 2025-DEF-EL-256
- Conditions
- Thalassemia, Iron Overload
- Keywords
- quality of life, iron overload, treatment satisfaction
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Elpen Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Collaborators
- Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital of Athens
- Study start
- 15 Apr 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This observational clinical study aims to evaluate the HRQoL of thalassemia patients with iron overload in Greece, who are under treatment with deferasirox based on standard clinical practice.
Detailed description
The assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in thalassemic patients with iron overload offers a holistic approach to the disease and leads to better communication between physicians and patients. This prospective, non-interventional, observational clinical study aims to evaluate the HRQoL, adherence to deferasirox treatment and treatment effectiveness as well as patients' satisfaction and safety with deferasirox.
All participants will complete a set of questionnaires and scales for QoL, adherence to treatment, and satisfaction of the treatment for iron overload. Demographic and clinical characteristics will be recorded to define patient subgroups based on the study protocol.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Adult patients with major beta-thalassemia with iron overload due to frequent blood transfusions (≥7 ml/kg/month of packed red blood cells) will be included in the study and who were receiving deferasirox before their inclusion in the study (90, 180, 360, 900 mg) and at their inclusion require treatment with deferasirox at least 900 mg, as part of the treatment of chronic iron overload and according to the SPC.
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- 1. Adult patients (≥ 18 years). 2. Patients with major beta-thalassemia with iron overload due to frequent blood transfusions (≥7 ml/kg/month of packed red blood cells).
- 3. Patients with chronic iron overload due to blood transfusions if deferoxamine therapy is contraindicated or insufficient in the following patient groups:
- 4. Patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia syndromes with chronic iron overload requiring chelation therapy when deferoxamine therapy is contraindicated or insufficient.
- 5. Patients who were receiving deferasirox before their inclusion in the study (90, 180, 360, 900 mg) and at their inclusion require treatment with deferasirox at least 900 mg, as part of the treatment of chronic iron overload and according to the SPC.
- 6. Consent and compliance of participants with the treatments and procedures of the study.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 1. Patients under 18 years of age. 2. Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. 3. Patients with a contraindication to taking deferasirox 90, 180, 360, 900 mg according to the drug's SmPC.
- 4. Patients receiving or expect to receive another chelating agent (e.g. deferoxamine, deferiprone) in addition to deferasirox, during the study.
- 5. Patients with a history of mental illness, substance abuse, to a degree that may prevent their participation in the study.
- 6. Patients are participating in another research protocol.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with chronic iron overload
Time frame: Score of the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36v2) questionnaire at baseline, at 6 and at 12 months and the change from baseline and among at 6 and 12 months
Score of the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36v2) questionnaire
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Jan 2026.
- Background: PubMed 29904950Kattamis A, Aydinok Y, Taher A. Optimising management of deferasirox therapy for patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia and lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Eur J Haematol. 2018 Sep;101(3):272-282. doi: 10.1111/ejh.13111. Epub 2018 Jul 27.
- Background: PubMed 30196444Voskaridou E, Kattamis A, Fragodimitri C, Kourakli A, Chalkia P, Diamantidis M, Vlachaki E, Drosou M, Lafioniatis S, Maragkos K, Petropoulou F, Eftihiadis E, Economou M, Klironomos E, Koutsouka F, Nestora K, Tzoumari I, Papageorgiou O, Basileiadi A, Lafiatis I, Dimitriadou E, Kalpaka A, Kalkana C, Xanthopoulidis G, Adamopoulos I, Kaiafas P, Mpitzioni A, Goula A, Kontonis I, Alepi C, Anastasiadis A, Papadopoulou M, Maili P, Dionisopoulou D, Tsirka A, Makis A, Kostaridou S, Politou M, Papassotiriou I; Greek Haemoglobinopathies Study Group. National registry of hemoglobinopathies in Greece: updated demographics, current trends in affected births, and causes of mortality. Ann Hematol. 2019 Jan;98(1):55-66. doi: 10.1007/s00277-018-3493-4. Epub 2018 Sep 8.
- Background: PubMed 30194626Arian M, Mirmohammadkhani M, Ghorbani R, Soleimani M. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in beta-thalassemia major (beta-TM) patients assessed by 36-item short form health survey (SF-36): a meta-analysis. Qual Life Res. 2019 Feb;28(2):321-334. doi: 10.1007/s11136-018-1986-1. Epub 2018 Sep 7.
- Background: PubMed 32793403Tartaglione I, Origa R, Kattamis A, Pfeilstocker M, Gunes S, Crowe S, Fagan N, Vincenzi B, Ruffo GB. Two-year long safety and efficacy of deferasirox film-coated tablets in patients with thalassemia or lower/intermediate risk MDS: phase 3 results from a subset of patients previously treated with deferasirox in the ECLIPSE study. Exp Hematol Oncol. 2020 Aug 10;9:20. doi: 10.1186/s40164-020-00174-2. eCollection 2020.
- Background: PubMed 32920766Goulas V, Kouraklis-Symeonidis A, Manousou K, Lazaris V, Pairas G, Katsaouni P, Verigou E, Labropoulou V, Pesli V, Kaiafas P, Papageorgiou U, Symeonidis A. A multicenter cross-sectional study of the quality of life and iron chelation treatment satisfaction of patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia, in routine care settings in Western Greece. Qual Life Res. 2021 Feb;30(2):467-477. doi: 10.1007/s11136-020-02634-y. Epub 2020 Sep 13.
- Background: PubMed 35560253Lai YR, Cappellini MD, Aydinok Y, Porter J, Karakas Z, Viprakasit V, Siritanaratkul N, Kattamis A, Liu R, Izquierdo M, Lasher J, Govindaraju S, Taher A. An open-label, multicenter, efficacy, and safety study of deferasirox in iron-overloaded patients with non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (THETIS): 5-year results. Am J Hematol. 2022 Aug;97(8):E281-E284. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26592. Epub 2022 May 27. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 28884221Klonizakis P, Klaassen R, Sousos N, Liakos A, Tsapas A, Vlachaki E. Evaluation of the Greek TranQol: a novel questionnaire for measuring quality of life in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients. Ann Hematol. 2017 Nov;96(11):1937-1944. doi: 10.1007/s00277-017-3122-7. Epub 2017 Sep 7.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Alexandros Ginis, MD study director
Elpen Pharmaceutical Co. Inc.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Thalassemia and Iron Overload, run by Elpen Pharmaceutical Co. Inc..
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Alexandros Ginis, MD (+302111865734, a.ginis@elpen.gr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Assessment of health-related quality of life in patients with chronic iron overload (time frame: Score of the Short-Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36v2) questionnaire at baseline, at 6 and at 12 months and the change from baseline and among at 6 and 12 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07352878, which also lists 7 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Jan 2026.