Active clinical trials for "Anemia"

Helicobacter pylori is recognized as a major gastrointestinal pathogen in developing countries. This microorganism infects up to 60% of children less than five years in those countries and is strongly associated with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in children and adults. The progression of gastritis to atrophy often leads to decreased gastric acid output, which is a well-known risk factor for anemia. Gastric acid is essential for increasing the bioavailability and absorption of non-heme dietary iron, the most important source of iron in developing countries. Numerous reports suggest that iron malabsorption secondary to low gastric acid output is a problem in developing world countries. It has been further observed that iron deficiency anemia is resistant to iron therapy particularly in these countries. In a recently completed study we observed an association of anaemia with H. pylori infection. We hypothesize that the poor bioavailability of iron in these countries could be related to H. pylori -induced low gastric acid output and we propose to investigate the role of H. pylori infection as a cause of anemia and treatment failure of iron supplementation in Bangladesh. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled field trial is proposed among four groups ( 65 each) of H. Pylori infected children of 2-5 years of age with iron deficiency anemia. The children will be assigned to one of the four therapies: antibiotics alone (for H. Pylori eradication), antibiotic plus iron therapy, iron therapy alone, or placebo. Hemoglobin concentration, serum ferritin concentration, and transferrin receptor will be measured before and at 1 and 3 month after the intervention. We also propose a complementary study in an additional 20 children with H. Pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia to assess iron absorption with application of double stable isotopes. The change in hematological parameters will also be compared among the groups before and after the therapy. The results of this study are expected to have implications in the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia in developing countries.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of L-glutamine as a therapy for sickle cell anemia and sickle ß0-thalassemia. as evaluated by the number of occurrences of sickle cell crises.

Vaccines made from peptides that are found on leukemia cells may make the body build an immune response and kill cancer cells. Combining vaccine therapy with the immune adjuvant Montanide ISA-51 may be a more effective treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome. This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of vaccine therapy when given with Montanide ISA-51 and to see how well they work in treating patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome

To determine the safety and efficacy of erythropoietin administered subcutaneously to AIDS patients with anemia secondary to their disease and/or concomitant zidovudine (AZT) therapy. Efficacy will be assessed by correction of anemia and decrease in transfusion requirements.

Severe Aplastic Anemia (SAA) is a rare and very serious blood disorder in which the bone marrow stops producing the cells which make up blood; red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Researchers believe this is caused by an autoimmune reaction, a condition in which the natural defense system of the body begins attacking itself. In SAA the immune system begins attacking the bone marrow. Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to all of the organ systems in the body, and low numbers (anemia) can cause difficulty breathing and fatigue. Platelets are responsible for normal blood clotting and low numbers can result in easy bruising and bleeding which can be deadly. White blood cells are responsible for fighting infections, and low numbers of these can lead to frequent infections, the most common cause of death in patients with aplastic anemia. SAA can be treated by bone marrow transplant (BMT) or by drugs designed to slow down the immune system (immunosuppressants). BMT can be successful, but it requires a donor with matched bone marrow, making this therapy available only to a few patients. BMT with unmatched bone marrow can fail and cause dangerous side effects. Presently, the two drugs used to treat SAA by slowing down the immune system (immunosuppression) are antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporin A (CSA). When used in combination these two drugs can improve most patients condition. However, one third of the patients who respond to this therapy experience a relapse of SAA. In addition, some patients treated with ATG/CSA can later develop other disorders of the blood. Recently, researchers have found that another immunosuppressive drug called cyclophosphamide, has been successful at treating patients with SAA. In addition, patients treated with cyclophosphamide do not experience relapses or develop other disorders of the blood. In this study researchers would like to compare the combinations of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and cyclosporin A (CSA) to cyclophosphamide and cyclosporin A (CSA) for the treatment of SAA.

Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of thalidomide in treating patients who have myelodysplastic syndrome. Thalidomide may improve the immune system's ability to fight myelodysplastic syndrome

This study will examine 1) whether it is possible to collect enough stem cells (cells produced by the bone marrow that mature into white and red blood cells and platelets) from patients with aplastic anemia to use for future treatment, and 2) whether patients who have been treated successfully and relapse will benefit from autologous stem cell transfusion (transfusion of their own stem cells). Patients 12 years of age or older with aplastic anemia who have been successfully treated with immunosuppressive drugs and are now in remission may be eligible for this study. Participants will undergo a complete history and physical examination, bone marrow biopsy (removal of a small sample of bone marrow from the hip bone) and blood tests, plus procedures to collect stem cells, as follows: G-CSF (Filgrastim) administration - G-CSF will be given by injection under the skin daily for up to 10 days. This drug causes stem cells to move from the marrow into the blood where they can be collected more easily. Apheresis - Stem cells will be collected through apheresis, usually starting the 5th to 6th day of Filgrastim injections. For this procedure, whole blood is collected through a needle in an arm vein. The blood circulates through a cell separator machine where the white cells and stem cells are removed. The red cells, platelets and plasma are returned to the body through a second needle in the other arm. The procedure takes about 5 hours. Up to five procedures, done on consecutive days, may be required to collect enough cells for transplantation. If enough cells are collected, they will be purified (treated to remove the white blood cells) using an experimental device. Removing the lymphocytes may reduce the chance of relapse of aplastic anemia following the stem cell transplant. The stem cells will be frozen for later use, if needed. Follow-up - Participants are followed at NIH at 6-month intervals.

This phase I/II trial studies whether a new kind of blood stem cell (bone marrow) transplant, that may be less toxic, is able to treat underlying blood cancer. Stem cells are "seed cells" necessary to make blood cells. Researchers want to see if using less radiation and less chemotherapy with new immune suppressing drugs will enable a stem cell transplant to work. Researchers are hoping to see a mixture of recipient and donor stem cells after transplant. This mixture of donor and recipient stem cells is called "mixed-chimerism". Researchers hope to see these donor cells eliminate tumor cells. This is called a "graft-versus-leukemia" response.

ICA-17043 is being developed for the chronic treatment of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) in both adults and children. ICA-17043 is a potent and specific inhibitor of a channel in human red blood cells (RBCs) that blocks RBC dehydration. ICA-17043 is expected to inhibit RBC dehydration and thus should prevent or delay the sickling process. By reducing sickled cells, an improvement in anemia, a reduction in painful crises, and ultimately, less end-organ disease is anticipated.

RATIONALE: Erythropoietin and colony-stimulating factors such as filgrastim stimulate the production of blood cells. It is not yet known whether erythropoietin with or without filgrastim is more effective than standard blood transfusions in reducing the need for transfusions in patients who have anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndrome. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of erythropoietin with or without filgrastim with that of standard blood transfusions in reducing the need for transfusions in patients who have anemia associated with myelodysplastic syndrome.