MEDITERRANEAN SCHOOL OF ONCOLOGYTERNI 23-25 NOVEMBRE 2008.pptVIP

* * * * * * * * Three general classes of agents capable of chelating iron are shown here. In order to perform this function, the chelating molecule(s) must complex with all of the iron atoms six available coordination sites, as shown. Bidentate chelating agents are capable of providing two such links per molecule; thus three molecules are required to chelate one atom of iron. Similarly, two tridentate molecules and only one hexadentate molecule are required to accomplish the same purpose. Reproduced with permission from: Cohen, A, Porter, J. Transfusion and chelation therapy in thalassemia and