A Pilot Study of N-acetylcysteine in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

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Overview

Part 1: A pilot study in patients with homozygous S (HbSS) or hemoglobin S with beta zero thalassemia(HbS-βo thalassemia), with the aim of examining the effect of intravenous NAC treatment on plasma VWF parameters and measures of redox and RBC function. Part 2: A pilot study in patients with sickle cell disease admitted to the hospital in vaso-occlusive crisis to determine the effects of NAC infusions on plasma VWF parameters and measures of redox and RBC function, and on measures of pain and hospital length of stay.

Two primary processes dominate the complications associated with sickle cell disease (SCD): vasoocclusion and hemolysis. The plasma and vessel wall adhesive protein von Willebrand factor (VWF) is thought to be involved in both of these processes, so strategies aimed at reducing its secretion or reactivity, which could decrease complications in patients with SCD, are being tested. Based on prior studies, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment may decrease VWF activity in patients with SCD and may be a useful adjunctive treatment in this disorder. Part 1 enrolls stable outpatients with homozygous S (HbSS) or hemoglobin S with beta zero thalassemia (HbS-βo thalassemia), with the aim of examining the effect of NAC treatment on VWF parameters, measures of oxidation and RBC fragments. Patients receive IV NAC first at 150 mg/kg over 8 hours and if tolerated, at a later date at 300 mg/kg over 8 hours in the University of Washington Clinical Research Center. Blood is collected for laboratory assessment. Subjects are later offered enrollment in an oral phase. Part 2, patients with a history of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) are approached in the outpatient setting to discuss the study. When admitted for VOC, subjects receive NAC as an IV infusion75 mg/kg every 6 hours for up to 5 days. Blood for laboratory assays are collected each morning and pain assessment is performed prior to and following each NAC infusion.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Conditions

Sickle Cell Disease Sickle Cell Anemia

Interventions

N-AcetylcysteineDRUG

Oral and Intravenous administration of NAC

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age \>= 18 years of age 2. Diagnosis of homozygous sickle cell (SS) or S-beta thalassemia with at least two episodes of vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) requiring narcotics in each of the past 2 years. For part 2 can include hemoglobin SC disease. 3. For females of reproductive age, use of contraception and negative pregnancy test Exclusion Criteria: 1. An additional hematologic diagnosis 2. Hemoglobin (Hgb) \< 7gm/dL for part 1, \< 6 gm/dL for part 2. 3. Asthma requiring medication 4. Liver function tests \[alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (BilliT) \> three times upper normal limit for Part 1. 5. Chronic transfusion therapy, or transfusion within 2 months of enrollment. For part 2 anticipated need for simple or exchange transfusion during hospitalization. 6. VOC requiring narcotic therapy within the prior week or requiring hospitalization with discharge \< 2 weeks prior to study enrollment for Part 1, for part 2 admission for VOC within 30 days. 7. Pregnancy or nursing 8. Receiving another investigational drug 9. Known allergy to NAC 10. Per subject's physician not medically stable enough to participate 11. Taking nitroglycerin, carbamazepine, or phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors 12. Abnormal baseline coagulation tests (\> 1.5 times normal limits) 13. Platelets \<150,000/microliter for Part 1. 14. For part 2, already enrolled in study twice.

Locations (1)

University of Washington

Seattle, Washington, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Laboratory measures of VWF activity

To determine if NAC, given intravenously as a one day infusion, orally as an outpatient or during hospitalization for VOC has an effect on VWF level or function.

Time frame: Part 1, Prior to during and following one day infusion or during oral administration; Part 2, daily during infusion and just following infusion completion

Secondary Outcomes

Laboratory measures of red blood cell hemolysis and oxidation

To determine effects of NAC treatment on laboratory markers of sickle cell disease by measuring a) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) B) reticulocyte count, and c) percent dense cells and on oxidation by measuring RBC glutathione.

Time frame: Red blood cell (RBC) lab measures will be drawn prior to infusion, at the end of the infusion, 1 and 3 days following the end of the infusion, once a week during oral administration, and daily during hospitalization

Adverse events during and following NAC administration

To assess safety by evaluating subjects for adverse events during and at time points following administration.

Time frame: Adverse events will be measured from time of consent to completion of study, with particular attention to times around and during administration.

Pain during VOC

Pain will be measured using visual analog scale and numerical rating scale at study entry, and before and at completion of each infusion during hospitalization for VOC

Time frame: Before and following each NAC infusion while hospitalized

Use of pain medications in morphine equivalents

Data on morphine equivalents administered during the study hospitalization will be compared to those of past admissions.

Time frame: Morphine equivalents for the hospitalization during which NAC was administered compared to past VOC admissions

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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