EC Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine

Anemia and thalassemia represent significant global health challenges that affect the lungs, particularly in regions with limited healthcare resources. This review examines recent advances in the therapeutic management of these conditions, with an emphasis on novel approaches reshaping treatment paradigms. Traditional management strategies, including transfusion protocols and iron chelation, have significantly improved outcomes but remain associated with substantial limitations. Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in curative approaches, notably gene therapy utilizing viral vectors and CRISPR-Cas9 technology. Additionally, novel pharmacological agents targeting ineffective erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis offer promising non-curative alternatives. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding these emerging therapeutic modalities and discusses their comparative effectiveness, special population considerations, and future directions. While significant challenges remain in terms of accessibility and long-term outcomes, these innovations represent the most substantial therapeutic advances in decades and hold the potential to fundamentally transform the management landscape for patients with anemia and thalassemia worldwide.

 Keywords: Pulmonary Complications; Thalassemia; Anemia; Hemoglobinopathies; Respiratory Medicine; Iron Overload; Gene Therapy; Lung Disease; Therapeutic Management; Pulmonary Hypertension

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