Novel Use Of Hydroxyurea in an African Region With Malaria
Sickle Cell AnemiaSickle Cell Disease1 moreMultiple studies have shown that hydroxyurea has clinical efficacy in preventing acute painful episodes and reducing the need for blood transfusions in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA), but no study has been conducted in malaria endemic regions of sub-Saharan Africa, the areas with the most children with SCA. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea for children with SCA in a malaria endemic region within sub-Saharan Africa.
Study of Propranolol as Anti-Adhesive Therapy in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
Sickle Cell DiseaseAn open label, prospective, randomized cross-over phase II study in up to 60 sickle cell patients who are either homozygous for Hb S or have HbSB0 thalassemia. Initially, each patient will be treated for 6 weeks with placebo or a standard dose of propranolol (40 mg) every 12 hrs. This will be followed by a 2-week washout period after which, patients will receive the other treatment modality (placebo or propranolol). We Hypothesize that propranolol administered in vivo on a daily basis for 6 weeks (1) will decrease baseline adhesion to endothelial cells and will substantially abrogate epinephrine-stimulated adhesion to endothelial cells, as measured in vitro; (2) will improve biomarkers of endothelial activation and dysfunction; and (3) can be safely used in patients with SCD. Thus, the use of propranolol in SCD may represent a safe and effective means of anti-adhesive therapy in SCD. Study Objectives: Primary Objective: • To establish the safety and efficacy of long-term therapy with propranolol as an anti-adhesive therapy for SCD. Secondary Objective: • To evaluate changes in soluble markers of endothelial activation and dysfunction. Correlative Science Objective: • To determine whether response to propranolol therapy is associated with polymorphisms in genes encoding the proteins involved in the upregulation of Sickle Red Blood Cell (SS RBC) adhesion by epinephrine.
Evaluation of the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics (PK) and Effects on Liver Iron Concentration...
Sickle Cell DiseaseThe safety, tolerability, effects on liver iron concentration and pharmacokinetics of ICL670 is studied in sickle cell disease patients with transfusional hemosiderosis.
Trial of Zileuton CR in Children and Adults With Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell DiseaseThe purpose of this research study is to test the safety of Zileuton and see what effects (good and bad) it has on you, other children and adults with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The investigators also want to see how Zileuton is handled by your body at different doses. Zileuton is a drug that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of asthma for people age 12 and older. The FDA has not approved Zileuton for the treatment of SCD, so it is being studied as an investigational drug for SCD through an application to the FDA. In asthma patients, Zileuton helps by reducing inflammation. This study will see if Zileuton helps to reduce inflammation associated with SCD.
Evaluating the Safety and Effectiveness of Bone Marrow Transplants in Children With Sickle Cell...
Sickle Cell DiseaseSickle cell disease (SCD), also known as sickle cell anemia, is an inherited blood disease that can cause organ damage, stroke, and intense pain episodes. A blood stem cell transplant is a treatment option for someone with a severe form of the disease. Prior to undergoing a transplant, people typically receive a conditioning regimen of high doses of chemotherapy and other medications to prepare the body to accept the transplant. A conditioning regimen that uses lower doses of chemotherapy and medications may be safer for transplant recipients. This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of blood stem cell transplants, using bone marrow from unrelated donors, in children with severe SCD who receive a reduced intensity conditioning regimen prior to the transplant.
Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of HQK-1001 Administered...
Sickle Cell DiseaseThe purpose of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of HQK-1001 administered for a total of 12 weeks (with one dosing break) in subjects with sickle cell disease.
Examining Cognitive Function and Brain Abnormalities in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease - Pilot...
AnemiaSickle CellSickle cell disease (SCD), also known as sickle cell anemia, is an inherited blood disease that can cause intense pain episodes and may lead to organ failure. Preliminary studies have shown that adults with SCD may have brain abnormalities that contribute to problems with cognitive functioning, including attention and memory difficulties. This study will use brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neuropsychological testing to examine the differences in cognitive functioning in adults with SCD who are treated for anemia with monthly blood transfusions for 6 months versus adults with SCD who receive usual care for 6 months.
Topical Sodium Nitrite for Chronic Leg Ulcers in Adult Patients With Blood Disorders
Sickle Cell AnemiaSickle Cell Disease1 moreBackground: - Chronic leg ulcers are a complication of many blood disorders such as sickle cell disease, thalassemia, and other red blood cell disorders. In these disorders, red blood cells break down earlier than normal, which researchers suspect may cause or contribute to the development of leg ulcers; however, the exact cause is unknown, and current therapies are not very effective. Researchers are interested in determining if a research cream made with sodium nitrite, a substance that is known to increase blood flow by dilating blood vessels, may speed up the healing of skin ulcers. Objectives: - To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of topical sodium nitrite cream as a treatment for chronic leg ulcers in individuals with sickle cell disease or other red blood cell disorders. Eligibility: - Individuals at least 18 years of age who have sickle cell disease or another red cell disorder and have had a leg ulcer for more than 4 weeks. Design: Participants will be screened with a physical examination, medical history, blood tests, and an examination of the ulcer, including x-ray of the leg(s) with the ulcer and swabs from the wound. Participants will be scheduled for a 5-day inpatient stay at the Clinical Center, with the following procedures: Days 1 and 2: Participants will have blood draws, a wound assessment, ultrasound of the affected leg, imaging studies (magnetic resonance imaging and infrared photography), thermo-patch application to monitor temperature changes, measurements of blood flow in the skin, and questionnaires about pain and quality of life. An optional skin biopsy may also be conducted with samples taken near the skin ulcer Day 3: Participants will have one ulcer treated with the topical cream. Frequent blood draws will be conducted before application and then regularly for up to 6 hours after application of the cream. Thirty minutes after the research cream is applied, participants will have imaging studies of the treated leg and measurements of pain levels and blood flow. Day 4: Participants will have a blood draw and temperature recordings taken. Day 5: Participants will have the research cream applied and the same imaging studies as before, and will be discharged for care at home. For the following 3 weeks, participants will come to the clinical center twice a week to have the research cream applied to the leg ulcer and tests performed by the study researchers. For the fourth and final week, participants will return for additional cream treatment sessions, imaging studies, blood draws, and other tests as directed by the study researchers. Study participation will end in the following week (week 5). Subjects will come for a final visit one month after the end of the study.
A Pilot Study of HSCT for Patients With High-risk Hemoglobinopathy Using a Nonmyeloablative Preparative...
Sickle Cell DiseaseThalassemia1 moreHypothesis 1: A novel nonmyeloablative condition regimen will be safe and efficacious in producing stable donor chimerism and cure of severe hemoglobinopathy. Hypothesis 2: Stable donor chimerism will result in amelioration of cerebral vasculopathy, improved cerebral perfusion and neurocognitive function. Specific Aim 1: Study the safety and efficacy of a novel non-toxic conditioning regimen for HSCT for patients with severe hemoglobinopathies and the kinetics of lineage specific chimerism after HSCT We will test our hypothesis that a novel nonmyeloablative condition regimen will be safe and efficacious in producing stable donor chimerism and cure of severe hemoglobinopathy: Specific Aim 2: Optimize the immunosuppressive regimen for HSCT patients through a thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetics of Busulfan (BU) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the patient population. This will involve: Determine the pharmacokinetics of intravenously and orally administered MMF and intravenous BU in patients receiving HSCT. Determine the relationship of Area under the curve (AUC) of BU and mean trough concentrations of mycophenolic acid (MPA) to engraftment and graft versus host disease (GVHD). Determine the relationship of Area under the curve (AUC) and steady state concentration of BU to engraftment at day 30 and 1 year post HSCT. Specific Aim 3: Study the effect of complete or partial donor chimerism on silent and overt cerebral vasculopathy, and neurocognitive functioning in patients with SCD undergoing HSCT. We will test our hypothesis that stable donor chimerism will result in improvement in cerebral vasculopathy and neurocognitive function. This will include. Determine effect of transplantation silent and overt cerebral vasculopathy by comparison MRA and TCD 1 year after HSCT to pre-HSCT studies. Determine effect on HSCT on neurocognitive function. Specific Aim 4: To determine the rate of T cell immune reconstitution in children with sickle cell disease following myeloablative compared to nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation, using immunophenotyping assays, CDR3 spectratyping TREC analysis, and measurement of T cell specific donor engraftment.
Stem Cell Transplantation With Identical Donors for Patients With Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell DiseaseThis 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.