Clinical Trials

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects haemoglobin - the molecule in blood cells which carries oxygen. It causes red blood cells to become abnormal crescent (or sickle)- shaped. Sickled red blood cells cannot travel through small blood vessels as easily as normal red blood cells which can lead to blockages. This means that oxygen may be prevented from getting to where it is needed. Individuals with sickle cell disease also suffer form abnormality in the lining of their blood vessels, which contributes to the damage.

Hypothesis is that the occurrence of nocturnal Vaso-Occlusive Crisis (VOC) and priapism in adults might be related to episodes of nocturnal desaturation secondary to a sleep apnea syndrome. Investigator hypothesize that chronic biological consequences of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (hypercoagulability, endothelial dysfunction ...) favour VOC and acute manifestations (nocturnal desaturation) favour nocturnal VOC.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with sickle cell anemia. Hydroxyurea has also been tested and used with children with sickle cell anemia. However, there are not many studies describing the disposition of drug in children less than 5 years old. The FDA has requested this study to better understand how children ages 2 to 17 years with sickle anemia absorb and eliminate the drug (this is called pharmacokinetics).

The main purpose of this study is to create a longitudinal cohort of those with Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) to better understand the hematologic phenotype for those that carry HbS, assess for differences in those with varying quantities of HbS and assess for potential clinical complications of SCT.

The constitution of blood relies upon hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which stay in the bone marrow and differentiate to all lineages of peripheral blood cells. HSC transplantation is the only curative option currently available for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients either via allogeneic HSC transplantation or HSC-targeted gene therapy. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)- mobilized HSCs are frequently utilized in the adult setting of HSC transplantation because of the faster hematologic recovery as compared to bone marrow.

The Novel use Of Hydroxyurea in an African Region with Malaria (NOHARM) study is the first placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of hydroxyurea treatment in a malaria endemic region. NOHARM has now achieved full enrollment; all children have completed the blinded portion of the protocol and are in the open-label study treatment portion.

To more clearly ascertain the relationship between ocular manifestations of sickle cell disease and diabetes, specifically; whether the presence of sickle cell trait exacerbates the disease progression of diabetic retinopathy.

The "National Transfusion Treatment Survey in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD)" is a prospective longitudinal systemic study that was created in order to evaluate the therapeutic approach, mainly transfusional, in patients affected by SCD throughout Italy and to improve the quality of care and implement research.

The survey will evaluate all patients affected by different forms of sickle cell disease (HbS homozygosis, Thalassoso-drepanocytosis, HbS / HbC compound heterozygosis, other possible genetic compounds).

To develop a clinical severity index that could prospectively identify sickle cell disease patients who were at high risk for a turbulent clinical course and a poor prognosis.

Background:

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. People with this disease have a problem with their hemoglobin. That is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen in the body. Some people with this disease are enrolled in research at NIH. Researchers want to learn more about the thoughts and opinions of those people. This may improve the way researchers explain clinical studies, risks, and benefits to people with the disease.

Objective: