search
Back to results

Efficacy of Vorinostat to Induce Fetal Hemoglobin in Sickle Cell Disease

Primary Purpose

Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Anemia

Status
Terminated
Phase
Phase 2
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
vorinostat
Sponsored by
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Sickle Cell Disease focused on measuring fetal hemoglobin, vorinostat, HDAC inhibitor, SAHA

Eligibility Criteria

18 Years - undefined (Adult, Older Adult)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of sickle cell disease
  • Clinically significant disease defined as at least 1 painful episode per year averaged over the previous 3 years or a history of priapism, stroke, acute chest syndrome, avascular necrosis, multi-organ failure or the need for chronic narcotic medications for pain from sickle cell disease
  • Must have failed a previous attempt at treatment with hydroxyurea defined as the inability to achieve a significant absolute increase in % fetal hemoglobin or the inability to tolerate hydroxyurea treatment due to severe side effects such as but not limited to myelosuppression, gastrointestinal symptoms, edema or hepatic enzyme elevations or have contraindications to hydroxyurea
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Hematologic laboratory values as outlined in the protocol
  • Non-hematologic laboratory values as outlined in the protocol
  • Must agree not to donate blood or other bodily fluid while taking the study drug and for 28 days thereafter
  • Women of child-bearing potential (WCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test 72 hours or less prior to starting treatment
  • Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use 2 forms of adequate contraception prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects with hemoglobin SC or SB+ thalassemia
  • Subjects on chronic transfusion program
  • Subjects who have received RBC transfusions cannot have >15% adult hemoglobin
  • Known positive status for HIV, active hepatitis B or hepatitis C
  • Pregnant or breast feeding women
  • Individuals with a history of malignancy are ineligible except for the following circumstances. Individuals with a history of malignancy are eligible if they have been disease-free for at least 5 years and are deemed by the investigator to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy. Individuals with the following cancer are eligible if diagnosed and adequately treated within the past 5 years: cervical or breast cancer in situ, and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
  • Subjects with a history of thrombosis or other reason (other than sickle cell disease) for enhanced thrombotic risk
  • Subjects with unresolved infections
  • Severe or uncontrolled medical conditions that could compromise study participation
  • Subjects on fetal hemoglobin inducing agents
  • Subjects on any other experimental treatment within 90 days of the first dose of study drug or who have not recovered from the side effects of such therapy
  • Known allergic reaction to a histone deacetylase inhibitor
  • Subjects who have received valproic acid for treatment of epilepsy within 30 days of enrollment
  • Subjects who have received any HDAC inhibitors other than valproic acid

Sites / Locations

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Children's Hospital Boston
  • Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm Type

Experimental

Arm Label

Vorinostat

Arm Description

Patients received vorinostat in a pulsed fashion, once a day for 3 consecutive days every week to a maximum dose of 400 mg per dose (1200 mg/wk), for 12 to 16 weeks at the maximum dose. The first 3 patients were enrolled in an intrapatient dose escalation schedule of 100 mg/d, then 200 mg/d, each for 3 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks, and then 400 mg/d, 3 consecutive days per week for 16 weeks. The last 2 patients were enrolled to receive 400 mg/d, 3 consecutive days per week for 12 weeks, without an initial dose escalation.

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Percent Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF%) Induction Success Rate
Success will be defined by comparing the maximum HbF% on study drug to the HbF% at baseline. An absolute increase in HbF% of 4% of more, or an increase to 100% or more of baseline in patients with HbF under 4% at baseline will be considered a success. HbF% induction success rate is calculated as the count of successes divided by the count of patients in the analysis population.

Secondary Outcome Measures

F-Cell Percentage Level
F-cell percentage levels were estimated based on established methods.
γ-globin to β-globin Ratio
Levels of peripheral blood γ-globin to β-globin messenger RNA were estimated based on established methods. The ratio of γ-globin to β-globin was then calculated.

Full Information

First Posted
October 20, 2009
Last Updated
June 21, 2017
Sponsor
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Collaborators
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
search

1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT01000155
Brief Title
Efficacy of Vorinostat to Induce Fetal Hemoglobin in Sickle Cell Disease
Official Title
A Phase II Pharmacodynamic Investigation of the Efficacy of Vorinostat to Induce Fetal Hemoglobin in Adults With Severe Sickle Cell Disease Who Have Not Benefitted From Prior Therapy
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
June 2017
Overall Recruitment Status
Terminated
Why Stopped
The study terminated early due to slow accrual.
Study Start Date
October 2009 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
October 2014 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
October 2014 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Responsible Party, by Official Title
Principal Investigator
Name of the Sponsor
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Collaborators
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

4. Oversight

Data Monitoring Committee
Yes

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a hereditary anemia that causes the red blood cells to change their shape from a round and doughnut-like shape to a half-moon/crescent, or sickled shape. People who have SCD have a different type of hemoglobin (protein that carries oxygen). This different type of hemoglobin makes the red blood cells change into a crescent shape under certain conditions. Sickle-shaped cells are a problem because they often get stuck in the blood vessels blocking the flow of blood and can cause inflammation and injury to important areas of the body. All babies are born with hemoglobin called fetal hemoglobin (HbF). Soon after birth, HbF production slows down and another hemoglobin called adult hemoglobin (HbA) is made. Clinical studies have shown that increasing the amount of HbF in the blood may prevent sickling of the red blood cells. Vorinostat has been used in the treatment of cancers and in other research studies and information from those suggests that it may help treat SCD by increasing the amount of HbF in the blood. The purpose of this research study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of vorinostat when used to treat SCD.
Detailed Description
OBJECTIVES: Primary To determine the efficacy of vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA), when administered orally, in a pulsed fashion, once-a-day for 3 consecutive days every week, in inducing a 4% absolute increase or a 100% increase in fetal hemoglobin percent levels (HbF%) in subjects with severe sickle cell disease who have failed prior therapy. To characterize the safety and tolerability. Secondary To assess the effect of vorinostat on F-cell levels. To determine the changes in y-globin, B-globin and E-globin RNA levels during treatment with vorinostat. To describe the dose-response characteristics of vorinostat in inducing fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell disease. Exploratory To determine the extent and duration of global histone acetylation with intermittent vorinostat dosing. To correlate the status of polymorphisms near the BCL11A, c-myb, and HBB gene loci, all of which are associated with levels of fetal hemoglobin, to assess for an association of polymorphism status with therapeutic response to vorinostat. To evaluate red blood cell rheology before and after treatment with vorinostat. STATISTICAL DESIGN: This was a single stage design to evaluate induction of HbF on treatment with target enrollment of 15 patients. A 25% success rate was considered evidence of activity in this patient population while 5% success rate deemed ineffective. If at least 3 patients achieved success, the treatment would be considered promising. With 15 eligible patients, the probability of observing this was 0.76 assuming a true rate of 25% and 0.04 assuming a true rate of 5%.

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Sickle Cell Disease, Sickle Cell Anemia
Keywords
fetal hemoglobin, vorinostat, HDAC inhibitor, SAHA

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Phase 2
Interventional Study Model
Single Group Assignment
Masking
None (Open Label)
Allocation
N/A
Enrollment
5 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Vorinostat
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Patients received vorinostat in a pulsed fashion, once a day for 3 consecutive days every week to a maximum dose of 400 mg per dose (1200 mg/wk), for 12 to 16 weeks at the maximum dose. The first 3 patients were enrolled in an intrapatient dose escalation schedule of 100 mg/d, then 200 mg/d, each for 3 consecutive days a week for 4 weeks, and then 400 mg/d, 3 consecutive days per week for 16 weeks. The last 2 patients were enrolled to receive 400 mg/d, 3 consecutive days per week for 12 weeks, without an initial dose escalation.
Intervention Type
Drug
Intervention Name(s)
vorinostat
Other Intervention Name(s)
SAHA
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Percent Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF%) Induction Success Rate
Description
Success will be defined by comparing the maximum HbF% on study drug to the HbF% at baseline. An absolute increase in HbF% of 4% of more, or an increase to 100% or more of baseline in patients with HbF under 4% at baseline will be considered a success. HbF% induction success rate is calculated as the count of successes divided by the count of patients in the analysis population.
Time Frame
HbF% was measured at baseline and weekly on treatment. Median duration of treatment was 3 months.
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
F-Cell Percentage Level
Description
F-cell percentage levels were estimated based on established methods.
Time Frame
Measured at baseline and end of treatment, up to 16 weeks.
Title
γ-globin to β-globin Ratio
Description
Levels of peripheral blood γ-globin to β-globin messenger RNA were estimated based on established methods. The ratio of γ-globin to β-globin was then calculated.
Time Frame
Measured at baseline and end of treatment, up to 16 weeks.

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
18 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of sickle cell disease Clinically significant disease defined as at least 1 painful episode per year averaged over the previous 3 years or a history of priapism, stroke, acute chest syndrome, avascular necrosis, multi-organ failure or the need for chronic narcotic medications for pain from sickle cell disease Must have failed a previous attempt at treatment with hydroxyurea defined as the inability to achieve a significant absolute increase in % fetal hemoglobin or the inability to tolerate hydroxyurea treatment due to severe side effects such as but not limited to myelosuppression, gastrointestinal symptoms, edema or hepatic enzyme elevations or have contraindications to hydroxyurea 18 years of age or older Hematologic laboratory values as outlined in the protocol Non-hematologic laboratory values as outlined in the protocol Must agree not to donate blood or other bodily fluid while taking the study drug and for 28 days thereafter Women of child-bearing potential (WCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test 72 hours or less prior to starting treatment Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use 2 forms of adequate contraception prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation Exclusion Criteria: Subjects with hemoglobin SC or SB+ thalassemia Subjects on chronic transfusion program Subjects who have received RBC transfusions cannot have >15% adult hemoglobin Known positive status for HIV, active hepatitis B or hepatitis C Pregnant or breast feeding women Individuals with a history of malignancy are ineligible except for the following circumstances. Individuals with a history of malignancy are eligible if they have been disease-free for at least 5 years and are deemed by the investigator to be at low risk for recurrence of that malignancy. Individuals with the following cancer are eligible if diagnosed and adequately treated within the past 5 years: cervical or breast cancer in situ, and basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin Subjects with a history of thrombosis or other reason (other than sickle cell disease) for enhanced thrombotic risk Subjects with unresolved infections Severe or uncontrolled medical conditions that could compromise study participation Subjects on fetal hemoglobin inducing agents Subjects on any other experimental treatment within 90 days of the first dose of study drug or who have not recovered from the side effects of such therapy Known allergic reaction to a histone deacetylase inhibitor Subjects who have received valproic acid for treatment of epilepsy within 30 days of enrollment Subjects who have received any HDAC inhibitors other than valproic acid
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Maureen Okam, MD, MPH
Organizational Affiliation
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
City
Boston
State/Province
Massachusetts
ZIP/Postal Code
02115
Country
United States
Facility Name
Children's Hospital Boston
City
Boston
State/Province
Massachusetts
ZIP/Postal Code
02115
Country
United States
Facility Name
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
City
Boston
State/Province
Massachusetts
ZIP/Postal Code
02115
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Learn more about this trial

Efficacy of Vorinostat to Induce Fetal Hemoglobin in Sickle Cell Disease

We'll reach out to this number within 24 hrs