State Of The Art Functional Imaging In Sickle Cell Disease

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Sickle Cell Anemia

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01137721

SCDMR4

Details and patient eligibility

About

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a serious blood disease with blood vessel changes leading to brain injury and stroke. Studies show about 11% of patients with SCA will develop obvious stroke before age 20 years, with children less than 10 years of age especially vulnerable. The main objective of the SCDMR4[State Of The Art Functional Imaging In Sickle Cell Disease] trial is to compare the gray matter cerebral blood flow, measured by MRI,[magnetic resonance imaging] ASL [Arterial Spin Labeling] perfusion before treatment begins and after the appropriate hydroxyurea dosage is reached (~ one year). Other important objectives of the SCDMR4 trial include describing the effect of hydroxyurea therapy and transfusion therapy on the functional MRI response, diffusion tensor imaging of white matter, brain function, and transcranial Doppler blood velocities.

Full description

The Primary Objective of the study is to compare the research participant's GM [Gray Matter] CBF [Cerebral Blood Flow] by ASL [Arterial Spin Labeling] techniques before and after reaching a stable hydroxyurea MTD [Maximum Tolerated Dose] (12±3 months after starting hydroxyurea).

This is an observational study. Participants receive hydroxyurea as part of their standard of care treatment. This study will observe the above measures prior to beginning hydroxyurea and after participants reach the maximum tolerated dose in order to describe the effect of therapy on the participants' functional response.

Enrollment: 38 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 5 to 19 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria for Pre-Hydroxyurea or Pre-Transfusion Therapy Study Participants:

1. The diagnosis of HbSS or HbS/ß0-thalassemia
2. Age: 8.0 -- <19 years old

Inclusion Criteria for Study Participants for Observation:

1. The diagnosis of HbSS or HbS/ß0-thalassemia
2. Age: 8.0 -- <19 years old

Inclusion Criteria for Study Participants for Family Related Controls:

1. No diagnosis of HbSS or HbS/ß0-thalassemia
2. Age: 8.0 -- <19 years old

Exclusion Criteria for Pre-Hydroxyurea or Pre-Transfusion Therapy Study Participants:

1. Unable to tolerate the anatomical or fMRI [functional magnetic resonance imaging] without sedation or anesthesia
2. Currently receiving hydroxyurea therapy or transfusion therapy
3. Previous stem cell transplant or other myelosuppressive therapy
4. History of clinical stroke
5. Inability or unwillingness of research participant or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent/assent.

Exclusion Criteria for Study Participants for Observation:

1. Unable to tolerate anatomical or fMRI components without sedation or anesthesia
2. Currently receiving hydroxyurea or transfusion therapy
3. Previous stem cell transplant or other myelosuppressive therapy
4. History of clinical stroke
5. Inability or unwillingness of research participant or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria for Study Participants for Family Related Controls:

1. Unable to tolerate anatomical or fMRI components without sedation or anesthesia
2. Currently receiving hydroxyurea or transfusion therapy
3. Previous stem cell transplant or other myelosuppressive therapy
4. History of clinical stroke
5. Inability or unwillingness of research participant or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent.

Trial design

38 participants in 4 patient groups

Pre-Hydroxyurea - subjects with SCD

Description:

Patients with a diagnosis of HbSS (sickle cell anemia) or HbS/ß0-thalassemia (beta thalassemia) who will be treated with hydroxyurea therapy.

Sibling control

Description:

Sibling control with no diagnosis of HbSS or HbS/ß0-thalassemia.

Observational - subjects with SCD

Description:

Patients with a diagnosis of HbSS or HbS/ß0-thalassemia.

Pre-transfusion - subjects with SCD

Description:

Patients with a diagnosis of HbSS or HbS/ß0-thalassemia who will be treated with transfusion therapy.