Table 2.

Luspatercept considerations^1-6

	Strengths	Limitations
Subcutaneous administration	Does not require intravenous access	Requires infusion center visit every 3 weeks
Reduction of transfusion in TDT	21.4% had >33% reduction 7.6% had >50% reduction	Most patients without significant reduction Majority still have visits every 3 weeks
Increase in hemoglobin in NTDT	52.1% had 1.5-g/dL increase	Many patients without significant increase Requires increased appointment burden Not yet approved by regulatory agencies
Risk of thromboembolism	Rates low: 8 in 223 (3.6%) in trial	Patients with thalassemia already at increased risk of thromboembolism, especially if prior splenectomy
Impact on iron loading	Preliminary data showed lower ferritin and LIC in some patients, including some who did not meet primary end point	Additional data needed to verify findings