Active clinical trials for "Hemoglobinopathies"

Hypothesis 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.

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.

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

To demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of orally-administered pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone (PIH) for the chronic treatment of iron overload.

Hemoglobinopathies are the most common life threatening, monogenic disorders in the world. The most common causes of hemoglobinopathies are sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a hemoglobinopathy nursing program on pediatric nursing students' performance.

The goal of this research study is to establish chimerism and avoid graft-versus-host disease in patients with Hemoglobinopathies to halt disease progression.

Partial splenectomy or total splenectomy are the two surgical treatment of non-malignant hemoglobinoptahie. The aim of this treatment is to decrease transfusion. The main risk is infectious in total splenectomy, that's why partial splenectomy was suggest. But the efficiency of partial splenectomy decrease over time and a totalisation could be mandatory.

This study will evaluate the change in cardiac iron load over a 53 week period measured by MRI in 2 cohorts of patients

The purpose of this study is to determine if treatment with reduced-dose busulfex, fludarabine and alemtuzumab (CAMPATH) followed by sten cell infusion will allow for donor stem cells to grow in patients with hemoglobinopathies bone marrow and restore circulating blood counts. In addition the incidence and severity of side effects and of graft vs. host disease (GVHD) will be monitored.

This 12-month study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxyurea in treating beta-thalassemia, a type of anemia caused by defective hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in blood). Hemoglobin is composed of two protein chains-alpha globin chains and beta globin chains; patients with beta-thalassemia do not make beta globin. Patients often require frequent red blood cell transfusions. This leads to iron overload, which, in turn, requires iron chelation therapy (removal of iron from the blood). Some drugs, including hydroxyurea, can stimulate production of a third type of protein chain called gamma chains. In the womb, the fetus makes this type of protein instead of beta globin. It is not until after birth, when the fetus no longer produces gamma globin that the beta globin deficiency becomes apparent. Gamma chain synthesis improves hemoglobin and red blood cell production, correcting the anemia. This study will determine if and at what dose hydroxyurea treatment reduces patients' need for red blood cell transfusions and whether certain factors might predict which patients are likely benefit from this treatment. Patients 15 years and older with moderately severe beta-thalassemia may be eligible for this study. Participants will take hydroxyurea daily at a dose calculated according to the patient's body size. Blood will be drawn weekly to measure blood cell and platelet counts. The drug dosage may be increased after 12 weeks of treatment and again after 24 weeks if the white cell and platelet counts remain stable. Patients who respond dramatically to treatment may continue to receive hydroxyurea for up to 3 years.