If our results are replicated in a larger sample, treatment for iron overload with chelators in patients with sickle cell disease should be individualized for the GSTM-1 status, such that patients with homozygous deletion for GSTM-1 should receive a more aggressive iron unloading treatment (e.g., dual therapy and maximized dosing). The gene discussed is GSTM1; the disease is sickle cell disease.