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Clinical Trials: Blood - Sickle Cell Disease
IRB No. 14-107-6 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Identification of Patient-specific RBC-endothelial Cell Adhesion Profiles as Markers of Sickle Cell Disease Severity.
The research objective of this proposal is to determine in 25 adult/pediatric SCD patients (1) the relationship between pain severity phenotype and the strength of adhesion between single red blood cells (RBCs) and single endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from peripheral blood and (2) the ex vivo effect of pharmacologic inhibitors on RBC-EC adhesion, creating both a patient-specific adhesion profile and therapeutic signature. The results are expected to lead to novel individually-targeted approaches to inhibit the onset and limit the duration of painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs). Our central hypothesis is that the strength of adhesion between RBCs and ECs at baseline is related to patient-specific pain severity phenotype, resulting in the need for patient-specific drug therapy. To test the hypothesis, we will pursue the following three specific aims: Investigate the relationship between pain severity phenotype and baseline RBC-EC adhesion profile in SCD subjects – We will measure the strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from SCD subjects at baseline. Baseline/steady-state adhesion profiles will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine which adhesion profiles correlate most highly with pain severity phenotype. Assess the association of VOE severity with changes in RBC-EC adhesion from baseline to VOE onset. We will measure the change in strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from baseline to VOE onset. Changes in adhesion will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine whether relative changes in adhesion profile at VOE onset correlate with VOE severity. Test the ex vivo effect of targeted pharmacotherapy on the RBC-EC adhesion profile of SCD subjects – We will measure (at baseline and at VOE onset) the ex vivo inhibitory effect of two known RBC-EC adhesion blockers (propranolol and abciximab) to identify patient-specific anti-adhesive therapeutic signatures.
IRB No. 14-136-6 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health
This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.
IRB No. 12-013S-3.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Biomechanical Properties of Blood Cells in Sickle Cell Disease
Study description not available
IRB No. 14-107CS-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Identification of Patient-specific RBC-endothelial Cell Adhesion Profiles as Markers of Sickle Cell Disease Severity.
The research objective of this proposal is to determine in 25 adult/pediatric SCD patients (1) the relationship between pain severity phenotype and the strength of adhesion between single red blood cells (RBCs) and single endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from peripheral blood and (2) the ex vivo effect of pharmacologic inhibitors on RBC-EC adhesion, creating both a patient-specific adhesion profile and therapeutic signature. The results are expected to lead to novel individually-targeted approaches to inhibit the onset and limit the duration of painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs). Our central hypothesis is that the strength of adhesion between RBCs and ECs at baseline is related to patient-specific pain severity phenotype, resulting in the need for patient-specific drug therapy. To test the hypothesis, we will pursue the following three specific aims: Investigate the relationship between pain severity phenotype and baseline RBC-EC adhesion profile in SCD subjects -- We will measure the strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from SCD subjects at baseline. Baseline/steady-state adhesion profiles will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine which adhesion profiles correlate most highly with pain severity phenotype. Assess the association of VOE severity with changes in RBC-EC adhesion from baseline to VOE onset. We will measure the change in strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from baseline to VOE onset. Changes in adhesion will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine whether relative changes in adhesion profile at VOE onset correlate with VOE severity. Test the ex vivo effect of targeted pharmacotherapy on the RBC-EC adhesion profile of SCD subjects -- We will measure (at baseline and at VOE onset) the ex vivo inhibitory effect of two known RBC-EC adhesion blockers (propranolol and abciximab) to identify patient-specific anti-adhesive therapeutic signatures.
IRB No. 14-136CS-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health
This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.
IRB No. 17-193C-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Measures of Functional Ability in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease
This study is a prospective, clinical/translational research pilot study using a web-based, daily survey. Pain in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) is unique in that patients often experience acute and chronic pain simultaneously. Numerical rating scales are often unhelpful in the measurement of this type of pain as patients tend to report high pain scores despite noted variations in functional ability. This pattern of functional improvement with continued report of high pain intensity scores is common in patients with recurrent and chronic pain. A functional assessment tool that can reflect functional changes over brief time periods (days) is necessary to 1) allow for the examination of the impact of acute pain on usual function, 2) investigate the extent to which acute pain symptoms create a burden for patients and caretakers, 3) use as an outcome measure that would allow for objective measurement of changes in functioning as the result of acute pain interventions, and 4) study individual differences in functioning within specific patient groups. We have previously developed the YAPFAQ, a measure of acute functional ability in youth with sickle cell disease. No tool for measurement of daily functional ability in adults with SCD exists. The aim of this project is to provide preliminary data on item content for an adult acute functional ability tool, while examining the impact of other variables such as pain, mood and sleep on daily function in individuals with SCD. We propose to complete a pilot study of 40 adults between the ages of 21-40 years with SCD. Each adult will access an online survey daily for 30 days to report 20-30 items regarding their functional ability, sleep, mood and pain. Participants will access the daily survey through any standard web-browser using REDCap and complete the survey between 6pm-10pm each day.
IRB No. 21-180-1 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Measurement of Complex Viscoelasticity of Sickle, Normal and Hypoxic Red Blood Cell Mixtures in Sickle Plasma: Implications for Transfusion Therapy
This study is a prospective, clinical/translational research study using blood samples from consenting sickle cell diease (SCD) patients and healthy control volunteers. This study aims to determine the oxygen transport efficiency of red blood cells without oxygen and normal red blood cells (with oxygen) when mixed with blood from patients with sickle cell disease. The primary objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that the complex viscoelasticity of mixtures of SS blood, AA blood and hypoxic red blood cells (HYPX) suspended in SS blood and AA blood will predict oxygen transport efficacy of stored AA blood and hypoxic cell. The seconodary objective is to determine the effects of refrigerated storage duration of AA blood and HYPX on oxygen transport efficiency of the cells. Only SCD patients will be enrolled into this study at UConn Health. Potential subjects who are able to provide informed consent and are at least 18 years of age and have not had a transfusion in the past 90 days will be able to participate. We anticipated enrolling 10 SCD patients. SCD patients will be recruited during routine clinic visits in the New England Sickle Cell Institute (NESCI) and via flyers distributed throughout UConn Health. After consenting to the study, patients will come in for a one time blood draw. One tube will be sent to the JDH for CBC and hemoglobin electrophersis analyses and two tubes will be sent to the Hemanext research lab for research anaysis. The study will continue until full recruitment has been achieved. We estimate this will take approximately one year.
IRB No. 22-327-1 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Bone Loss, Physical Function and Frailty in Older Women with Sickle Cell Trait
This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning in older women. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait, and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. Having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to investigate whether women with SCT have reduced decreased muscle function, decreased muscle mass, and increased frailty compared to women without SCT. Frailty is a common clinical syndrome in older adults that carries an increased risk for poor health outcomes, including falls, incident disability, hospitalization, and death. This study will try to fill a knowledge gap in the scientific literature. It may potentially reveal a previously unrecognized risk factor for disability and address potential health disparity in African descent women.