View clinical trials related to Thalassemia.
Filter by:The proposed research project will continue the application and development of a new method (biomagnetic susceptometry) that measures magnetic fields to determine how much iron is in the liver. The amount of iron in the liver is the best indicator of the amount of iron in the whole body. Measuring the amount of iron in the body is important because either too much (iron overload) or too little iron (iron deficiency) can be harmful. At present, the most reliable way to measure the amount of iron in the liver is to remove a sample of the liver by biopsy, either by surgery or by using a needle which pierces the skin and liver. Iron stored in the liver can be magnetized to a small degree when placed in a magnetic field. In patients with iron overload, the investigators previous studies have shown that magnetic measurements of liver iron in patients with iron overload are quantitatively equivalent to biochemical determinations on tissue obtained by biopsy. In the past the investigators have developed a device to measure the amount of magnetization, which was called a SQUID (Superconducting QUantum Interference Device) susceptometer. This device was validated and in use for over 20 years. The safety, ease, rapidity and comfort of magnetic measurements make frequent, serial studies technically feasible and practically acceptable to patients. The investigators have now developed a new susceptometer, which uses very similar technology to the SQUID, but the investigators believe is more accurate and precise. This study aims to validate this new instrument. The investigators will do prospective, serial studies of the diagnosis and management of patients with iron overload, including thalassemia major (Cooley's anemia), sickle cell disease, aplastic anemia, myelodysplasia, hereditary hemochromatosis, and other disorders. Funding Source - FDA OOPD.
The purpose of this study is to study the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on anaemic and cytopenic haematological disorders including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), aplastic anaemia (AA), myelofibrosis (MF) and thalassemia intermedia who do not have or did not respond to available treatment options.
Thalassemia is considered the most common genetic disorder worldwide, occurring with high frequency in Mediterranean areas, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Currently, the only cure for thalassemia is bone marrow transplantation from a related, compatible donor. Gene transfer, achieved by transplantation of the patient's own blood stem cells that have been genetically-modified with the corrected gene, could potentially cure thalassemia. The first step in developing gene transfer for treatment of thalassemia is to develop a safe and effective method to obtain blood stem cells from thalassemia patients. Eventually, high numbers of genetically modified cells will need to be infused into the patient for clinical gene transfer to be effective. The blood stem cells are obtained by giving a "mobilization" agent to the patients. This causes the stem cells to leave the bone marrow and go into the blood. The purpose of this study is to test the safety and effectiveness of the new mobilization agent, Mozobil, in causing mobilization of blood stem cells for patients with beta-thalassemia major.
The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of LOVAZA (fish oil capsules) to decrease inflammation in children and adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). It has been found that besides the damage caused by sickle red blood cells themselves, the inflammatory response that occurs in SCD patients could potentially play a significant role in the occurrence of painful episodes or pain crises. The investigators will also study whether the subject/caregiver feels that there is an improvement in the child's quality of life by taking the medication. Besides the effect of LOVAZA on inflammation,the investigators are also testing whether the drug will have a beneficial effect on blood clotting ability (which is known to be increased in SCD) and on the anemia (low red blood cells) that is part of the disease entity.
Patients with thalassemia intermedia, congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I , and sideroblastic anemia were found to express very high levels of serum GDF15, and this contributed to the inappropriate suppression of hepcidin with subsequent secondary iron overload.The aim of our present study is to asses the levels of GDF15 and hepcidin in patients with Sickle cell disease and hereditary spherocytosis
The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the safety of two doses of FBS0701, a new oral iron chelator, and its effectiveness in clearing iron from the liver. FBS0701 is a medication taken by mouth that causes the body to get rid of iron. Iron chelators are used in patients with β-thalassemia and other forms of anemia who experience iron overload - iron increases in the body as a result of regularly required blood transfusions. Patients who qualify will be randomized to receive one of two doses of FBS0701 for up to 24 weeks (6 months) with a total study duration of up to 33 weeks. These patients will be eligible to participate in a dosing extension for up to 72 weeks. The maximum duration of dosing will be up to 96 weeks. The safety of patients will be monitored frequently during the study by physical exams, ECGs, and blood tests. To assess the amount of iron in the liver and heart, each patient must undergo 6 MRI scans during the study. Patients will not need to stay in the hospital for this study but will need to visit the outpatient clinic up to 28 times over the 96 week period. Patients currently taking an iron chelator will be required to stop for a total of up to 26 weeks. The results of this study will help to determine if FBS0701 may be effective as an iron chelator.
The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effects of L-glutamine as a therapy for Sickle Cell Anemia or Sickle ß0 Thalassemia as evaluated by the number of occurrences of sickle cell crises.
Iron overload, which can be defined operationally as too much iron in the body, develops as a consequence of too many blood transfusions given, or due to genetic defects hereditary hemochromatosis). Iron accumulates in several organs in the body, such as the heart, liver, endocrine glands (pancreas, thyroid, etc.), and spleen. Excessive iron can damage organs and may even cause death. Iron overload needs to be appropriately monitored and treated to avoid unnecessary morbidity and mortality. The present study, GENIOS, proposes to test prospectively the hypothesis that genetic modifiers influence the iron overload status of patients receiving transfusions. To test this hypothesis, the study will perform genetic studies to investigate possible genetic influences for iron accumulation in the body and will study iron accumulation not only in the liver, but also in the heart, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. In addition: the study will investigate if these same genes have any role during treatment of iron overload, in other words, if certain genetic mutations will influence how iron exits the body. This study will also investigate how substances that are known to control the trafficking of iron in and out of the body and its damaging effects to the tissues (hepcidin and non transferrin-bound iron) are linked to the accumulation of iron in the heart and liver. Iron in the body will be measured by R2*MRI and no liver biopsies will be required. Genetic studies will be done by specialized tests using peripheral blood DNA. Iron accumulates differently in different people and in different organs of the body. Some people accumulate iron faster than others, even when receiving the same number of blood transfusions
An Italian Multicentric randomized, open-label therapeutic trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Neridronate in the treatment of Osteoporosis in patients with Thalassemia Major and Severe Thalassemia Intermedia. Efficacy and safety of the drug will be evaluated measuring at every visit this parameters: - haematological: Haemochrome - blood chemistry: creatinine, BUN, AST, ALT, Ca, P, proteins electrophoresis, total proteins. The prevalence of ectopic calcification and pseudoxantoma elasticum (PXE)-like syndrome and their follow-up will be evaluated at the beginning of the study vs 24 months through physical examination, abdominal echography and fundus oculi examination. During the trial other known risks factors for osteoporosis will be recorded, including prevalence and incidence of bone fractures and, if executed, Polimorphisms COLIA1. At the beginning of the study and at months 12 and 24 morphometry DXA will be performed to evaluate of the presence of bone deformities. Furthermore data regarding QOL and symptom pain will be evaluated trough administration of scale SF-36. At 12 months an intratrial analisis will be performed on efficacy and safety parameters in order to introduce possible amendments to the study design and to decide the prosecution of the trial During the trial all adverse events will be recorded
Background: - Thalassemia major (TM) is a chronic disorder that affects a person s ability to produce hemoglobin, resulting in anemia. Hemoglobin is a component of red blood cells that carries oxygen and nutrients to cells in the body. As a result, individuals require life-long blood transfusions and extensive medical management. Studies have shown that because of its demanding nature, TM might negatively affect an individual s quality of life, sense of self, and social integration, but little is known about affected individuals overall experiences with and perceptions of TM. - TM is caused by a genetic change in the thalassemia gene. The disease is passed to children by parents who carry one copy of the altered thalassemia gene. The parents are called carriers of the condition and have a 25 percent chance of having a child with TM. It is possible to screen for carriers of TM and use this information for pregnancy planning and management. - TM is common among people from South and South East Asia and is an important public health concern in Singapore. More research is needed to explore the lives of people with TM, and the societal perceptions that exist in Singapore about TM. Objectives: - To describe the familial, social, and professional experiences of individuals with TM. - To investigate the social messages being given out about TM in Singapore and the sources of those messages. - To explore the impact of these experiences, perceptions, and social messages on individuals who have TM. - To explore how the experiences and perceptions of individuals who have TM affect their life, sense of self, social integration, and compliance with medical treatment. Eligibility: - Residents of Singapore who are 14 years of age or older, can speak English, and currently have TM. - Parents of individuals with TM who are 14 years of age or older. Parents must be 21 years of age or older, be able to speak English, and have had caregiving responsibilities for their child at some point. Design: - All participants will have a one-time semi-structured interview, followed by a questionnaire to obtain demographic information. - Interviews will be conducted in Singapore and are expected to last for 30 to 90 minutes. - Individuals with TM will be asked about their own perceptions of TM; familial, social, and professional experiences involving TM; and their perceptions of others views and of social messages related to TM. - Parents of individuals with TM will be asked about their experiences in caring for a child with TM, talking to their child about TM, telling people about their child s TM, and interacting with health care providers.