9 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare inherited pure red cell aplasia. The two main non-stem cell transplant therapeutic options are corticosteroids and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. About 80% of DBA patients initially respond to corticosteroids, however, half of the patients cannot continue due to side effects or loss of response. These patients are then typically dependent on RBC transfusions throughout life. Each of these treatments is fraught with many side effects and significant morbidity and mortality are potential consequences of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). The majority of individuals with DBA have mutations in genes encoding structural proteins of the small or large ribosomal subunit leading to deficiency of the particular ribosomal protein (RP). Using the RP deficient zebrafish embryo model, high throughput drug screens have demonstrated a strong hematologic response to several calmodulin inhibitors. One of these chemicals is trifluoperazine (TFP). TFP treatment of a mouse model of DBA also increased the red blood cell count and the hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the mice. TFP is a FDA-approved typical antipsychotic agent that has been available since 1958 with a well-known safety profile. In the United States, TFP is approved for the short-term treatment of generalized non-psychotic anxiety; treatment or prevention of nausea and vomiting of various causes; and, management of psychotic disorders. This study aims to determine the safety/tolerability of TFP in adult subjects with DBA. TFP's expected dose-limiting toxicity is primarily neurologic (extrapyramidal) when used long-term at typical anti-psychotic doses (range 10-50 mg daily). Non-neurologic adverse effects in subjects with DBA have not been investigated. We will perform a dose escalation study to define the safety and tolerability of lower doses of this agent in subjects with DBA. To mitigate the potential risks of administering TFP to this new population, we will (1) start dosing at dose levels well below those prescribed for psychosis, (2) dose escalate to a maximum of 10 mg daily (the lowest dose typically prescribed for psychosis), and (3) perform weekly safety monitoring. Given the positive signal in DBA animal models and the 60-year clinical experience with higher doses of TFP, this drug warrants a trial in humans to assess tolerability in DBA.
The main purpose of this project is to cure patients with high risk Sickle cell disease and other red cell disorders including thalassemia and diamond-blackfan anemia by bone marrow transplantation. The patients enrolled in this study will be those who lack matched sibling donors and therefore have no other option but to undergo bone marrow transplantation using matched but unrelated bone marrow or umbilical cord blood from the national marrow donor program registry. Since bone marrow transplantation for these disorders using matched unrelated donors has two major problems i.e. engraftment, or , the process of new marrow being accepted and allowed to grow in the the patient; and graft-versus-host disease, or the process where the new marrow "rejects" the host or the patient, this study has been devised with methods to overcome these two problems and thus make transplantation from unrelated donors both successful in terms of engraftment and safe in terms of side effects, both acute and long term. In order to accomplish these two goals, two important things will be done. Firstly, patients will get three medicines which are considered reduced intensity because they are not known to cause the serious organ damage seen with conventional chemotherapy. These medicines, however, do cause intense immune suppression so these can cause increased infections. Secondly, in addition to transplantation of bone marrow from unrelated donors, patients will also transplanted with mesenchymal stromal cells derived from the bone marrow of their parents. Mesenchymal stromal cells are adult stem cells that are normally found in the bone marrow and are thought to create the right background for the blood cells to grow. They have been shown in many animal and human studies to improve engraftment. In addition, they have a special property by which they prevent and are now even considered to treat graft versus host disease. Therefore, by using a reduced intensity chemotherapy regimen before transplant and transplanting mesenchymal stromal cells, we hope to improve engraftment while at the same time decrease the potential for severe side effects associated with a conventional transplant which uses extremely high doses of chemotherapy.
The purpose of this study is to maintain a comprehensive registry of patients with the rare inherited bone marrow failure syndrome Diamond Blackfan anemia (DBA).
Background: Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an inherited disease that affects the bone marrow. People with DBA have chronic anemia that can be severe. Many must have frequent transfusions of red blood cells. Current treatments for DBA all have risks of serious side effects. Better treatments are needed. Objective: To test a new drug (bitopertin) in people with DBA. Eligibility: People aged 18 or older with DBA. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam; they will have blood tests and a test of their heart function. They will have a bone marrow biopsy: An area of their hip will be numbed, and a needle will be inserted to remove a sample of tissue from inside the bone. Bitopertin is a pill taken by mouth. Participants will take the drug once a day every day for 8 months. They will start with a low dose of the drug; the dosage may increase gradually over time. They will keep a diary to record each dose. Participants will have blood tests every 4 weeks. This may be done in the clinic. Participants may also have telehealth visits; they can have blood drawn at a local lab and sent to the researchers. The bone marrow biopsy and other tests will be repeated after 8 months. Participants who have a positive response to bitopertin will be invited to enter an extended phase of the trial. They may continue to take the drug for 3 more years. Those who choose not to continue in the extended phase may have a follow-up visit 6 months after they stop taking the drug.
This study will determine the safety and possibility of giving the amino acid, leucine, in patients with Diamond Blackfan anemia(DBA)who are on dependent on red blood cell transfusions. The leucine is expected to produce a response in patients with DBA to the point where red blood cell production is increased. Red cell transfusions can then be less frequent or possibly discontinued. The investigators will study the side effects, if any, of giving leucine to DBA patients. Leucine levels of leucine will be obtained at baseline and during the study. The drug leucine will be provided in capsule form and taken 3 times a day for a total of 9 months.
The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and dosing of drug Sotatercept, as a subcutaneous injection, to stimulate production of red blood cell production. To be given every 28 days for up to four doses.
This study will test whether the immune-suppressing drug rituximab can increase blood counts and reduce the need for transfusions in patients with moderate aplastic anemia, pure red cell aplasia, or Diamond Blackfan anemia. These are rare and serious blood disorders in which the immune system turns against bone marrow cells, causing the bone marrow to stop producing red blood cells in patients with pure red cell aplasia and Diamond Blackfan anemia, and red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets in patients with aplastic anemia. Rituximab is a laboratory-made monoclonal antibody that recognizes and destroys white blood cells called lymphocytes that are responsible for destroying bone marrow cells in these diseases. The drug is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a disease of white blood cells.
This is a data collection study that will examine the general diagnostic and treatment data associated with the reduced-intensity chemotherapy-based regimen paired with simple alemtuzumab dosing strata designed to prevented graft failure and to aid in immune reconstitution following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of using a reduced-intensity condition (RIC) regimen with umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT), double cord UCBT, matched unrelated donor (MUD) bone marrow transplant (BMT) or peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT) in patients with non-malignant disorders that are amenable to treatment with hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). After transplant, subjects will be followed for late effects and for ongoing graft success.