New therapeutics for iron overload disorders
Haemochromatosis is a hereditary disorder that involves abnormal dietary iron metabolism causing iron overload in a number of body tissues. This disorder eventually leads to hyper-absorption of iron from a diet. Typically, after a period of 30 years, the accumulated iron levels become toxic, resulting in adverse cardiac, endocrine or liver symptoms. It is estimated that one tenth of the European population with hereditary markers for haemochromatosis are potentially subject to cerebral and cardiac atherosclerotic complications. The NUTRIENT IRON TOXICITY project focused on developing new diagnostic tests and non-absorbable iron chelators for easy therapy and prevention of iron overload. One of the key project results involved the design of new iron polymers for avoiding the accumulation of body iron. The biocompatible polymers may be introduced in a diet when they demonstrate selective binding to iron in order to prevent its absorption. A set of synthesised polymers was successfully tested which may be incorporated into clinical studies. One of the active iron binding polymers designed presented an increased capacity to suppress iron absorption in the gastrointestinal system. A Swiss pharmaceutical company showed interest in this development for future collaboration. All these project results can significantly contribute to the minimisation of the high morbidity and mortality rates, providing a better quality of life for iron overload patients and their families.
