Active clinical trials for "Anemia, Sickle Cell"

This protocol studied the effect of administration of a myeloablative pretransplant preparative regimen followed by an infusion of donor stem cells in children with severe sickle cell disease. The donor graft consisted of bone marrow or cord blood derived from a genetically matched sibling. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate how well the donated cells migrated to the bone marrow and begin producing healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets (engrafted), how well the recipients immune system recovered, and assess any regimen related toxicities including a potentially life-threatening transplant related complication called graft-versus-host-disease or GVHD.

Sickle cell disease is a life-long blood condition that can cause damage to the brain and other organs of the body. Children may develop severe, debilitating clinical states, with stroke or abnormal blood flow to the brain. Treatment generally includes chronic blood transfusions which may cause iron overload, potentially leading to severe and sometimes fatal complications. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant using cells obtained from a sibling or an unrelated volunteer donor who is a perfect HLA "match" (same tissue type) for the recipient has shown to help, and possibly cure, sickle cell disease. Unfortunately, only about 10-20% of sickle cell patients have a HLA matched sibling donor, and the likelihood of locating an appropriate HLA matched unrelated donor through the various donor registries is limited. Stem cells from partially HLA matched family members (also called haploidentical transplant) is an option currently being explored for this patient population. This type of transplant has been used and found to be successful in some patients, mostly those with cancers of the blood. However, there can be significant complications with haploidentical transplant, primarily infection, failure of the graft to grow (graft failure), and a disorder called graft-versus-host disease. In addition, few patients with sickle cell disease have undergone this procedure. Therefore, the risks and benefits of haploidentical transplants for patients with sickle cell disorder are not as well established as those using an HLA identical sibling or unrelated donor. The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety of haploidentical stem cell transplantation for children and adolescents with severe sickle cell disease and stroke or abnormal transcranial Doppler ultrasound requiring chronic transfusion therapy. The treatment plan will be considered safe if there is not excessive toxicity. Toxicity for this protocol is defined as graft failure/graft rejection, severe acute GVHD, or regimen related death within 100 days after the last cellular product administered. Of note, the protocol was closed to accrual in September 2007 as we had met the stopping rules related to graft integrity (graft failure and graft rejection). Participants currently enrolled continue to be followed per protocol.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of in-home, family-administered massage and in-home relaxation training on measures of physical status and health care utilization in a sample of African American adolescents age 15 years and older and adults with chronic pain associated with sickle cell disease who have been randomly assigned to six sessions of either family-administered massage or progressive muscle relaxation training.

The purpose of this study is to estimate the MTD of Mg pidolate in combination with HU in patients with sickle cell disease who have been on a therapeutic dose (15-30 mg/kg/day) of HU for at least 6 months.

To assess the efficacy and safety of orally administered hydroxyurea in the treatment of painful crises in patients with sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia is the most common genetic disease affecting African-Americans. About 1 in every 1000 African-Americans has the disease and 1 in every 12 carry the genes that could be passed on to their children. People with sickle cell anemia have abnormal hemoglobin, the molecules responsible for carrying oxygen in the blood. The abnormal hemoglobin can cause damage to the red blood cells. The damaged red blood cell may then stick in the blood vessels and cause pain and injury to organs. Some of the complications caused by the sticking of blood cells are called acute pain crisis and acute chest syndrome (ACS). Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas that has been proposed as a possible therapy for the ACS complication of sickle cell anemia. Studies have shown that NO may favorably affect sickle cell hemoglobin molecules, thereby improving blood flow through small vessels. This study is designed to evaluate the effects of NO, when taken in combination with a drug called nitroglycerin on patients with sickle cell anemia and normal volunteers. The effects of these two drugs only last while the patient is receiving them. Researchers hope the information learned from this study will help to develop new therapies for sickle cell anemia.

RATIONALE: Although used primarily to treat malignant disorders of the blood, allogeneic stem cell transplantation can also cure a variety of non-cancerous, inherited or acquired disorders of the blood. Unfortunately, the conventional approach to allogeneic stem cell transplantation is a risky procedure. For some non-cancerous conditions, the risks of this procedure outweigh the potential benefits. This protocol is designed to test a new approach to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. It is hoped that this approach will be better suited for patients with non-cancerous blood and bone marrow disorders.

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate the effects of a 6-session music therapy protocol on the pain, mood, quality of life, coping skills, and self-efficacy of adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) as compared to adult patients with SCD who receive standard care alone. The investigators will also determine the feasibility (delivery, acceptability, and usefulness) of the music therapy intervention for pain management and quality of life.

This study will prospectively investigate the feasibility, safety, and transfusion requirements of adding hydroxyurea to simple chronic transfusions for patients with sickle cell anemia already on chronic transfusions.

The study assesses the efficacy, safety and tolerability of ACZ885 (canakinumab) in pediatric and young adult patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA).