New Insights Into Pathophysiology of beta-Thalassemia

beta-thalassemia is a disease caused by genetic mutations including a nucleotide change, small insertions or deletions in the beta-globin gene, or in rare cases, gross deletions into the beta-globin gene. These mutations affect globin-chain subunits within the hemoglobin tetramer what induces an imbalance in the alpha/beta-globin chain ratio, with an excess of free alpha-globin chains that triggers the most important pathogenic events of the disease: ineffective erythropoiesis, chronic anemia/chronic hypoxia, compensatory hemopoietic expansion and iron overload. Based on advances in our knowledge of the pathophysiology of beta-thalassemia, in recent years, emerging therapies and clinical trials are being conducted and are classified into three major categories based on the different approach features of the underlying pathophysiology: correction of the alpha/beta-globin disregulation; improving iron overload and reverse ineffective erythropoiesis. However, pathways such as the dysregulation of transcriptional factors, activation of the inflammasome, or approach to mechanisms of bone mineral loss, remain unexplored for future therapeutic targets. In this review, we update the main pathophysiological pathways involved in beta-thalassemia, focusing on the development of new therapies directed at new therapeutic targets.