March 15, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A team of researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has been awarded a five-year, $3.1 million contract from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to conduct a study of hemochromatosis.

"Hemochromatosis is one of the most common inherited disorders, and one that is easily treatable if diagnosed early," says Dr. Claude Lenfant, Director of NHLBI. "Unfortunately, early diagnosis is difficult, and too often the disease is not detected until severe complications have occurred."

"Early detection is essential to prevent potentially serious health consequences such as cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, arthritis, diabetes, impotence, and heart failure," says Dr. Ron Acton, professor of microbiology and director of the Immunogenetics/DNA Diagnostic Laboratory at UAB. "Although iron overload can be detected with a simple blood test, screening is not currently performed as part of a routine medical examination."

UAB will be one of five field centers throughout North America that will identify, recruit and screen for iron overload in 100,000 patients visiting primary care practices. UAB will recruit 20,000 patients.

"The study will provide information needed to determine the most effective methods of screening for the disease, such as genetic and biochemical tests," says Lenfant. "It has the potential to one day eliminate organ damage and other life-threatening complications now suffered by those with hemochromatosis."

The disorder commonly affects whites. "Little is known about the disorder among blacks," says Acton. "This study will allow us to learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of iron overload in blacks."

UAB was awarded the contract, in part, because its researchers represent a wide spectrum of academic disciplines needed for the study. The team will include Dr. Jim Barton, with the Southern Iron Disorders Center, a clinical professor of medicine at UAB and a leading authority on iron overload; UAB researchers Dr. Jeff Roseman, an epidemiologist; Rodney Go, Ph.D., a population geneticist; Leigh Harman, Ph.D., a medical geneticist; Diane Tucker, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist; and Harold Kincaid, Ph.D., an ethicist.

The Birmingham community also will play a vital role in the study. "We have a large community of willing participants," says Acton. "That's very important. It's truly a community effort."