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Matte A, Cappellini MD, Iolascon A, Enrica F, De Franceschi L. Emerging drugs in randomized controlled trials for sickle cell disease: are we on the brink of a new era in research and treatment? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2019; 29:23-31. [PMID: 31847604 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1703947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a mutation in the HBB gene which is key for making a component of hemoglobin. The mutation leads to the formation of an abnormal hemoglobin molecule called sickle hemoglobin (HbS). SCD is a chronic, complex disease with a multiplicity of pathophysiological targets; it has high morbidity and mortality.Hydroxyurea has for many years been the only approved drug for SCD; hence, the development of new therapeutics is critical.Areas covered: This article offers an overview of the key studies of new therapeutic options for SCD. We searched the PubMed database and Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews for agents in early phase clinic trials and preclinical development.Expert opinion: Although knowledge of SCD has progressed, patient survival and quality of life must be improved. Phase II and phase III clinical trials investigating pathophysiology-based novel agents show promising results in the clinical management of SCD acute events. The design of long-term clinical studies is necessary to fully understand the clinical impact of these new therapeutics on the natural history of the disease. Furthermore, the building of global collaborations will enhance the clinical management of SCD and the design of primary outcomes of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Matte
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Domenica Cappellini
- Ca Granda Foundation IRCCS, Dept of Clinical Science and Community, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Dept of Chemical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Federti Enrica
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Verona, Italy
| | - Lucia De Franceschi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Verona, Italy
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Soya E, Makowski C, Blaise S. Leg ulcer induced by hydroxycarbamide in sickle cell disease: What is the therapeutic impact? Int Wound J 2019; 16:897-902. [PMID: 30916480 PMCID: PMC7949276 DOI: 10.1111/iwj.13115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Major sickle cell disease syndrome (SCD) is a set of potentially serious and disabling constitutional haemoglobin pathologies characterised by chronic haemolysis and vaso-occlusion phenomena. If expression takes the form of acute vaso-occlusive crisis, SCD is currently considered to be a chronic systemic pathology, primarily associated with vasculopathy and ischaemia-reperfusion phenomena. The haemolytic aspect of the disease may be associated with endothelial dysfunctional complications, including leg ulcers, which are a classic spontaneous complication of major SCD. Their frequency, all aetiologies combined, varies considerably according to the series under consideration. Hydroxycarbamide has become the standard treatment for some SCD phenotypes, but has classically been described as one of the causes of leg ulcer. This causality is widely debated and is still difficult to establish because it is a specific complication of the disease. Comorbidity factors (eg, iron deficiency) are also often implicated as causal or aggravating factors so research into all the potential aetiologies of leg ulcers in a sickle cell patient must be exhaustive. We discuss the aetiologies of a leg ulcer in a patient treated by hydrocarbamide for major SCD. The imputation of the drug was established, followed by a marrow allograft in this patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esaie Soya
- Department of Vascular MedicineGrenoble University HospitalGrenobleFrance
| | | | - Sophie Blaise
- Department of Vascular MedicineGrenoble University HospitalGrenobleFrance
- UMR 1042–HP2INSERM and University Grenoble‐AlpesGrenobleFrance
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EHA Research Roadmap on Hemoglobinopathies and Thalassemia: An Update. Hemasphere 2019; 3:e208. [PMID: 31723835 PMCID: PMC6746021 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The inherited disorders of hemoglobin, which include sickle cell disease and thalassemias, are the most common and widespread distributed monogenic disorders. Due to a selective advantage in malaria regions, these hemoglobin defects are particularly frequent in Africa, Asia, or in the Mediterranean areas, where malaria was endemic until the last century. In recent decades, the globalization of migration has contributed to generate multiethnic European societies. Due to migration from countries or regions with high hemoglobinopathy frequencies such as Africa, Middle East, or Asia, large numbers of patients with these disorders are living in almost every European country today. Furthermore, the numbers are increasing because of increasing refugee flows toward Europe. Additional requirements are the development of European recommendations and guidelines for diagnosis and effective therapeutic approaches. These, together with the advancement of clinical trials using new drugs and therapeutic procedures could ameliorate the quality of life of patients affected with these diseases and increase their life expectancy. Lastly, coordinated efforts should be made to develop diagnostic pathways for thalassemias and hemoglobinopathies, in order to plan interventions, including prenatal diagnosis and cure. For these reasons, the development of new tools to reliably diagnose anemias is urgently needed and fits well with the needs of personalized medicine. In the last 15 years, hematology research has made many big leaps forward. Our general aim will be to solve several hematologic problems using these new approaches. We expect that the development of such a diagnostic tool will improve timely diagnosis throughout Europe, especially in those countries where it is difficult to gain access to "classical" diagnostic tests.
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Piccin A, Murphy C, Eakins E, Rondinelli MB, Daves M, Vecchiato C, Wolf D, Mc Mahon C, Smith OP. Insight into the complex pathophysiology of sickle cell anaemia and possible treatment. Eur J Haematol 2019; 102:319-330. [PMID: 30664257 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is the consequence of abnormal haemoglobin production due to an inherited point mutation in the β-globin gene. The resulting haemoglobin tetramer is poorly soluble when deoxygenated, and when this is prolonged, intracellular gelation of sickle haemoglobin occurs, followed by haemoglobin polymerisation. If many cycles of sickling and unsickling occur, the red cell membrane will be disrupted leading to haemolysis and vaso-occlusive events. Recent studies have also shown that leucocyte adhesion molecules and nitric oxide (NO) depletion are involved in endothelial damage. New insights in SCA pathophysiology and vascular biology have shown that cell-derived microparticle (MP) generation is also involved in the vaso-occlusion. Endothelial damage is perpetuated by impaired production or increased consumption of protective modulators such as protein C, protein S and NO. New therapeutic interventions should address these aspects of SCA pathogenesis. To date, the only US-FDA-approved therapy to prevent painful vaso-occulsive episodes is hydroxyurea that reduces haemoglobin polymerisation in sickle cells by increasing the production of foetal haemoglobin and L-glutamine. However, several new drugs have been tested in the last years in randomised clinical trials. We here report an update on the current status of knowledge on SCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Piccin
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Internal Medicine V, University of Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria.,Transfusion Service, San Maurizio Regional Hospital, Bolzano, Italy.,Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Elva Eakins
- Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Massimo Daves
- Transfusion Service, San Maurizio Regional Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Cinzia Vecchiato
- Transfusion Service, San Maurizio Regional Hospital, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Dominik Wolf
- Internal Medicine V, University of Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria.,Medical Clinic 3, Oncology, Hematology, Immunoncology and Rheumatology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Corrina Mc Mahon
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Owen P Smith
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
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New Therapeutic Options for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease. Mediterr J Hematol Infect Dis 2019; 11:e2019002. [PMID: 30671208 PMCID: PMC6328043 DOI: 10.4084/mjhid.2019.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sickle cell disease (SCD; ORPHA232; OMIM # 603903) is a chronic and invalidating disorder distributed worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality. Given the disease complexity and the multiplicity of pathophysiological targets, development of new therapeutic options is critical, despite the positive effects of hydroxyurea (HU), for many years the only approved drug for SCD. New therapeutic strategies might be divided into (1) pathophysiology-related novel therapies and (2) innovations in curative therapeutic options such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. The pathophysiology related novel therapies are: a) Agents which reduce sickling or prevent sickle red cell dehydration; b) Agents targeting SCD vasculopathy and sickle cell-endothelial adhesive events; c) Anti-oxidant agents. This review highlights new therapeutic strategies in SCD and discusses future developments, research implications, and possible innovative clinical trials.
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Faes C, Sparkenbaugh EM, Pawlinski R. Hypercoagulable state in sickle cell disease. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc 2018; 68:301-318. [DOI: 10.3233/ch-189013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Camille Faes
- Interuniversity Laboratory of Human Movement Biology EA7424, Vascular biology and Red Blood Cell Team, University Claude Bernard Lyon1, Villeurbanne, France; Laboratory of Excellence “GR-Ex, ” Paris, France
| | - Erica M. Sparkenbaugh
- McAllister Heart Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rafal Pawlinski
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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