The use of chang cells cultured in vitro to evaluate potential iron chelating drugs.

A number of iron chelating agents, consisting largely of hydroxamic acid and benzoic acid derivatives, have been studied in an in vitro Chang cell culture system to determine their effect on cellular iron uptake, ferritin synthesis and the incorporation of iron into ferritin. The results have been compared with those of a previous study in which iron balance was determined in hypertransfused rats. Both techniques appear to be of value in screening new iron chelating agents for potential therapeutic use in patients with iron overload.