Clinical Trials

Recommendations for exercise prescription currently do not exist for individuals with sickle cell anemia (SCA) despite the known impact that SCA-related complications has on physical functioning and fitness. A major barrier to increasing physical activity in SCA is the concern that the well-described inflammatory effects of exercise could precipitate or exacerbate complications such as vaso-occlusive pain or airway bronchoconstriction (i.e. exercise-induced asthma).

The purpose of this study is to initiate pilot studies to demonstrate that a sufficient number of iron-overloaded thalassemia, SCD and DBA populations with similar duration of chronic transfusion, and age at start of transfusions would be available for a confirmatory study and to validate that proposed multicenter MRI and biochemical studies can be completed.

To determine whether the regular daily administration of oral penicillin would reduce the incidence of documented infection due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in children with sickle cell anemia.

The purpose of this study it to evaluate a reduced toxicity conditioning regimen for haploidentical donor HCT followed by a GVHD prophylaxis regimen comprising of post-transplant cyclophosphamide, sirolimus and abatacept with the goal to improve the GVHD-free rejection-free survival (GRFS) to greater than 90% after haploidentical donor HCT in children and young adults with SCD.

Primary Objective:

\- To assess the GVHD-free and rejection free survival (GRFS) after haploidentical donor HCT in children and young adults with SCD.

Secondary Objectives:

The aim of this study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who have a matched related major ABO-incompatible donor. The nonmyeloablative regimen will use alemtuzumab, total body irradiation (TBI) and sirolimus for immune suppression. This study will expand the access of HSCT for patients with SCD who are currently not eligible because of donor restrictions.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate what effect, if any, mismatched unrelated volunteer donor and/or haploidentical related donor stem cell transplant may have on severe sickle cell disease and other transfusion dependent anemias. By using mismatched unrelated volunteer donor and/or haploidentical related donor stem cells, this study will increase the number of patients who can undergo a stem cell transplant for their specified disease.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of repeat administration of MST-188 during vaso-occlusive crisis of sickle cell disease. Additionally, this study will evaluate the development of acute chest syndrome during VOC and re-hospitalization for recurrence of VOC.

The purpose of this study is to find out whether a web-based intervention using a mobile device is helpful for teens learning to care for and manage symptoms of sickle cell disease. The intervention lasts 12 weeks with a 3-month follow up period, and uses a smartphone or a tablet.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate a potential behavioral intervention (MED-Go app). To meet this objective, the researchers will conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial to test the feasibility and acceptability of MED-Go app in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with sickle cell disease (SCD). The long-term goal of this research is to promote medication adherence behavior and improve health outcomes in AYA with SCD.

In this prospective observational trial, participants with chronic hemolysis will be assessed with echocardiogram for elevated tricuspid jet velocity and other evidence of pulmonary hypertension. Participants will have laboratory studies evaluating: severity of hemolysis, splenic function, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hypercoagulability.