Professor Darrell Crawford, Director of Research
at the Gallipoli Medical Research Institute
Global study trials new
treatment for iron overload
Australian haemochromatosis sufferers are among the first in the world to trial a
potentially life-changing new treatment option at Greenslopes Private Hospital.
Haemochromatosis is an inherited
“Hepcidin regulates iron absorption
metabolic disorder which causes the
in the gut, and we know that hepcidin
body to absorb too much iron. It is
deficiency is the cause of most types
the most common inherited disease
of hereditary haemochromatosis,”
in Caucasian populations, affecting
Professor Crawford said.
about 1 in 200 people, and tends to be
“If successful, this study will make a
underdiagnosed.
huge difference to the quality of life for
Traditional treatment for
patients with haemochromatosis.”
haemachromatosis involves the
“I can see a future where some
removal of blood from the body.
patients with haemochromatosis
This process, called therapeutic
– particularly those who find
venesection, is similar to the method
venesection difficult to tolerate - will
for donating blood. Without this
be able to take this synthetic hepcidin.”
treatment, organs including the liver,
Professor Crawford, who is also a
heart and pancreas can suffer serious
gastroenterologist at Greenslopes
damage and the build-up of iron can
Private Hospital, said it is important for
lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and
people to notify their GP if there is a
liver failure.
family history of haemochromatosis.
The Gallipoli Medical Research
“Many people do not realise they have
Foundation (GMRF), based at
haemochromatosis as they do not feel
Greenslopes Private Hospital, is the
unwell in the early stages. Signs to look
first Australian centre to take part in a
out for include constantly feeling tired
global study into whether a synthetic
or suffering pain in their joints. Early
hormone can become an alternative
diagnosis and intervention restores life
treatment for haemochromatosis.
expectancy to normal for patients with
Professor Darrell Crawford, Director
haemochromatosis.”
of Research at the Gallipoli Medical
The GMRF is still recruiting patients
Research Institute, said the trial will
for the haemochromatosis study at
focus on synthetic hepcidin.
Greenslopes Private Hospital. For
more information or to find out if you
are eligible for the trial, visit www.
gallipoliresearch.com.au
The Clinical Trials Unit at the Gallipoli
Medical Research Foundation has
developed successful partnerships
If successful, this
study will make a
huge difference to
the quality of life
for patients with
haemochromatosis
with research organisations and
pharmaceutical companies to provide
first-class conduct, management, and
coordination of multi-centre national
and international clinical research trials.
For a list of GMRF studies currently
open for recruitment, visit: https://www.
gallipoliresearch.com.au/research/
clinical-trials-unit/
greenslopesprivate.com.au | 5