scholarly journals The Role of Hemoglobin and Hemolysis on Transcranial Doppler Velocities in Children with Sickle Cell Disease: Data from a Natural History Cohort

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3092-3092
Author(s):  
Giulia Reggiani ◽  
Beatrice Coppadoro ◽  
Vania Munaretto ◽  
Renzo Manara ◽  
Claudio Baracchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Transcranial Doppler ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Publicly Traded ◽  
Significant Inverse Correlation ◽  
Disease Modifying

Abstract Background: Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk of cerebrovascular events that can impact neurocognitive development and quality of life (Colombatti 2016). Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) is a validated screening tool to identify pediatric SCD patients with the highest risk of stroke to start on a preventive chronic blood transfusion regimen (Estcourt 2020; Inusa 2019). High TCD velocities are an indication to start disease-modifying treatments or consider disease-curative options in children with SCD (Khemani 2019). However, real-world pediatric data on the correlation between hematological variables and TCD results are scarce (Salama 2020). We aimed to evaluate the distribution of TCD velocities in a pediatric natural history cohort and investigate their correlation with hematological variables and treatments. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on data from a prospective pediatric cohort followed from January 1,2009, to December 31, 2020 (censoring date). Standard care includes annual TCD from 2 years of age. We used transcranial Doppler imaging (TCDi) and classified results according to STOP criteria, considering terminal internal carotid artery (TICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) time-averaged maximum mean velocities (TAMMVs). Only complete exams with right and left measures available for both vessels were included. Hematological, clinical, and treatment variables were available from the natural history cohort database. Patients were divided according to genotype: HbSS/HbSβ 0 or HbSC/HbSβ +. Two-sample and Welch t-tests for unequal variances were used to compare mean hemoglobin (Hb) values and hemolysis markers in patients with and without abnormal/conditional TCDi results. Fisher and chi-square tests were used to compare categorical variables. Linear regression models were used to assess the effects of MCA and TICA TAMMVs as continuous variables on Hb. Odds ratios (ORs) for neurological events at different Hb levels were estimated using generalized estimated equations (GEE) with a binomial distribution, logistic function, and exchangeable correlation structure, allowing for correlation among repeated observations for the same patient. Multivariable GEE including characteristics and treatment variables were used to evaluate the association between neurological events and Hb. Results: Of the 182 SCD patients in the cohort, 169 had assessments of cerebral vasculopathy, and 155 had evaluable TCDi (583 exams). The median follow-up of the entire cohort was 79.8 months (range: 2.1-298.6 months) (interquartile range [IQR]: 36.9-126.3 months). The median age at the censoring date was 13.4 years (IQR: 9.1-17.5 years); 130 were HbSS/HbSβ 0, and 25 were HbSC/HbSβ +. Basic demographic characteristics of the cohort are in Table 1. The distribution of TCDi results was significantly different between genotypes (P<0.0001): in the HbSC/HbSβ + group (70 exams), 14 were normal (20.0%), and 56 were low (80.0%); in the HbSS/HbSβ 0 group (513 exams), 8 were abnormal (1.6%), 56 were conditional (10.9%), 311 were normal (60.6%), and 138 were low (26.9%). Only 37/138 (26.8%) low TCDi results were confirmed as stenosis at the nearest MRA. Patients with abnormal/conditional TCDi results had lower Hb (8.4 vs 8.9 g/dL, P≤0.0001) and higher reticulocyte counts (317,766 vs 262,750/mm 3, P≤0.0001), lactate dehydrogenase (843 vs 690 U/L, P=0.0012), and aspartate aminotransferase (61 vs 54 U/L, P=0.0007) compared with patients with normal/low results. We detected a linear correlation between TICA/MCA TAMMVs and Hb (Figure 1A and 1B). Univariate analysis showed significant inverse correlation between abnormal/conditional TCDi results and Hb considered as a continuous variable (OR: 0.484, P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the correlation between TCDi results and Hb remained significant; moreover, the risk of presenting abnormal/conditional TCDi results decreased with age (OR: 0.833, P<0.0064). Conclusions: This analysis from our natural history cohort shows a significant inverse correlation between Hb and MCA and TICA velocities, supporting the beneficial effect of higher Hb levels in reducing TAMMV. Disease-modifying therapies increasing Hb and reducing hemolysis could be helpful in reducing TAMMV in children with SCD. Funding: This study was supported by Global Blood Therapeutics. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Agodoa: Global Blood Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Beaubrun: Global Blood Therapeutics: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Biffi: BlueBirdBio: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board. Colombatti: Global Blood Therapeutics: Research Funding; Addmedica: Consultancy; Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; NovoNordisk: Consultancy; BlueBirdBio: Consultancy; Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy; BlueBirdBio: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Common Myeloid Progenitors As Biomarkers of Hbf Response to Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Disease

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4827-4827
Author(s):  
Caterina P. Minniti ◽  
Seda S. Tolu ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Zi Yan ◽  
Andrew Crouch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cd34 Cells

Background Hydroxyurea (HU) is used to treat sickle cell disease (SCD) in part because of its ability to increase hemoglobin F (HbF) concentration, but the mechanism by which HU induces HbF, and the low or lack of HbF response in a fraction of the patient remains unclear. HU causes myelo-suppression and induces stress hematopoiesis, which is associated with increase production of HbF. Earlier research has shown that HbF levels in SCD patients are inversely correlated with reticulocytes, which can be secondary to: 1) HbF-induced decreased hemolysis with less needs for red blood cell (RBC) production, and 2) Myelo-suppression. It has also been shown that the number of CD34+ cells is generally lower in HU treated patients, but the overall response of the hematopoietic system in relationship to HbF has not been characterized. Here, we prospectively isolated hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from HU-treated SCD patients and characterize their hematopoietic and HbF responses. Methods Peripheral blood (PB) was collected from 19 HbSS who had been HU for >3 years and from 12 healthy controls. Frozen mono-nuclear cells were analyzed by flow cytometry using CD49f, 90 45Ra, 123, 235a, 38, 34, 33 and lineage antibodies. The number of 49f+ long-term Hematopoietic Stem Cells (LT-HSC), Multipotent Progenitors (MPPs), Common Myeloid Progenitors (CMPs), Megakaryocyte-Erythroid Progenitors (MEPs), and Granulocyte-Monocyte Progenitors (GMPs) per uL of blood or per CD34+ cells was then quantified. Results The percentages of reticulocytes per uL of blood were found to correlate positively with the concentration per uL of blood of all stem and progenitor cell populations tested (CD34 (R2 = 0.6583), LT-HSC (R2 = 0.3532), MPP (R2 = 0.2603), CMP (R2 = 0.5889), MEP (R2 = 0.2411), and GMP (R2 = 0.6911)). Statistically significant (p<0.05) inverse correlations were also observed between HbF levels and the number of CD34+/uL ( R2 = 0.2931), and the number of CMP/uL (R2 = 0.3732). Normalization of the data to the number of circulating CD34+ cells revealed that there was a strong inverse correlation between HbF levels and the percentage of circulating CMPs (R2 = 0.5424), and importantly, that this correlation was specific to the CMP population since Hb F did not correlates with any of the other HSPC populations analyzed . Analysis of the PB of 12 healthy individuals revealed that, as in SCD patients, the percentage of CMPs varied between < 10% and >60% of the total circulating CD34+ cells. Further analysis revealed that the CMP percentages in both SCD and healthy controls appeared characteristics of each individual tested since the measurements were remarkably correlated (R2 >0.7) when they were repeated on blood samples collected at intervals of two-weeks or one-year. Discussion The positive correlation between the reticulocyte and HSPC populations that we observed was previously unreported and suggests that, in first approximation, the reticulocytes could serve as a proxy for the levels of circulating HSPCs which could help assess the degree of bone marrow suppression in compliant non-responding HU-treated patients. We identified an inverse correlation between percentages of HbF and circulating CMPs in HU-treated SCD patients that is specific to these progenitors. The specificity of the correlation suggests that the major mechanism for the correlation is unlikely to be differential mobilization of CMPs to the PB since inducing mobilization generally affect all HSPCs. A depletion of the CMPs in the bone marrow of high Hb F responders is therefore a more likely mechanism. A possible mechanism for the correlation is that HU acts directly on CMPs by accelerating their differentiation leading to the relative depletion of these progenitors in high F individuals, and initiating the reprogramming of gene expression that ultimately results in high level of gamma-globin expression. Alternatively, the similar range of variability in the percentage of CMPs in HU-treated SCD patients and in healthy individuals never exposed to HU, and the observation that the percentage of circulating CMP seem to be an intrinsic characteristic of each individual suggest that the percentage of circulating CMPs might be a genetically determined marker associated with the ability to produce HbF in response to HU therapy, rather than being a consequence of the treatment. Figure Disclosures Minniti: Doris Duke Foundation: Research Funding. Manwani:Novartis: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; GBT: Consultancy, Research Funding.

The natural history of sickle cell disease

1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Hoppe ◽  
Lori Styles ◽  
Elliott Vichinsky
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
History Of

scholarly journals COVID Symptoms and COVID Anxiety in Sickle Cell Disease

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 16-17
Author(s):  
Wally R Smith ◽  
Benjamin Jaworowski ◽  
Shirley Johnson ◽  
Thokozeni Lipato ◽  
Daniel M Sop
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Telephone Survey ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Weighted Mean ◽  
The Us ◽  
Associated Symptoms ◽  
At Home

Background Even before the US upswing of the current COVID pandemic, the number of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients coming to hospitals and EDs appeared to fall drastically. This happened despite SCD patients having often been heavy utilizers of the ED and hospital for their iconic vaso-occlusive crises (VOC). Though ambulatory SCD clinics quick converted largely to telehealth in order to comply with stay-at-home orders designed to suppress person-to-person transmission, some SCD patients appeared to avoid care, delay care, or refuse doctors' invitations for care. Presumably patients did so out of COVID fears, but this has not been confirmed in the literature. Further, whether these patients had COVID symptoms but stayed at home has not been studied. As part of quality improvement (QI) to conduct COVID surveillance in an adult sickle cell program, we sought to explain and predict SCD health care utilization patterns we were observing, as well as to determine urgent physical and mental health needs of patients who appeared to be avoiding care. Methods Fifteen staff in the Adult Sickle Cell Medical Home at Virginia Commonwealth University, a large urban academic medical center, conducted a telephone survey ("wellness check"was used when we talked to patients) of all known adults with SCD over 19 days in 2020. A staff member confirmed the patient had SCD, asked permission to proceed, then asked about symptoms consistent with COVID-19. At the end of the telephone survey, respondents wer invited to complete an email survey of sickle cell and COVID-19 utilization attitudes (19-33 items, depending on the response pattern, either drawn from the National Health Interview Survey, from the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement quality of care survey, or drafted by the authors), the Sickle Cell Stress Survey-Adult (SCSS-A, a 10-item previously validated survey), and anxiety and depression (PHQ9 of the PRIME-MD). Results Of 622 adults approached by phone call, 353 responded to the following yes/no screening questions regarding the prior 14 days: fever over 100 F 0/353 (0.00%); cough 3/353(0.01%); difficulty breathing 0/353(0.00%); unexplained shortness of breath 2/353(0.01%); sore throat 2/353 (0.01%); unexplained muscle soreness 2/353(0.01%);contact with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 2/353(0.01%); testing for COVID 19 6/353(0.02%). For QI purposes, we set a threshold of three or more COVID-associated symptoms or the presence of fever as criteria requiring intense telephone or in-person staff monitoring for the following week. Only three patients met criteria. A total of 219/353 had email surveys sent. Of 63 patients (28.8%) who returned email surveys by June 10, 2020, 35.9% had already managed a "pain attack" at home 4 or more times in the prior 12 months, and 45.5% of these said their bad ER experiences were very or somewhat important in that decision. In the prior 14 days, although 30/64 reported a crisis for at least one day, only 4/64 had visited the Emergency Department for pain. On a 0-10 scale, 21/61 patients endorsed "0" for worry that they would be COVID-infected by going for medical care (weighted mean 3.9), but 18/59 endorsed "10" for worry they were more at risk of COVID because of SCD (weighted mean 6.31), and 22/60 endorsed "10" for worry they would fare worse than others if COVID infected (weighted mean 6.97). Many patients forwent "needed" care (16/62) or delayed "needed" care by at least a day (36/61). Eleven patients met criteria for moderately severe to severe depression on the PHQ-9, and 28/63 somewhat or strongly agreed with the statement "death is always on the back of my mind" on the SCSS-A. Conclusions In adolescents and adults with SCD, many were already reticent to come to the ED for pain, but a significant portion reported delays or avoidance of needed care during the early stages of the US COVID pandemic, and few reported using the ED despite over half reporting at least one crisis day in 14. Patients nonetheless reported very few COVID-associated symptoms. Fears of COVID infection/susceptibility may limit visits for needed sickle cell care among adults. Acknowledgements: Mica Ferlis RN, FNP, Caitlin McManus, RN, FNP, Emily Sushko, RN, FNP, Justin West, RN, Kate Osborne, RN, Stefani Vaughan-Sams, Marla Brannon, BS, Nakeiya Williams, BS Disclosures Smith: GlycoMimetics, Inc.: Consultancy; Emmaeus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy; Novartis, Inc.: Consultancy, Other: Investigator, Research Funding; Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Shire, Inc.: Other: Investigator, Research Funding; NHLBI: Research Funding; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute: Other: Investigator, Research Funding; Health Resources and Services Administration: Other: Investigator, Research Funding; Incyte: Other: Investigator; Pfizer: Consultancy; Ironwood: Consultancy; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy; Imara: Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Identifying Potential Drug Targets for Sickle Cell Disease through Gene Expression and Pathway Analysis of GEO Data

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 15-16
Author(s):  
Sharjeel Syed ◽  
Jihad Aljabban ◽  
Jonathan Trujillo ◽  
Saad Syed ◽  
Robert Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Disease Modifying Therapies ◽  
Disease Modifying

Background: The pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD) and its complications have been well characterized down to the molecular level. However, there remains a relative dearth of disease modifying therapies that reduce the frequency and number of vas-occlusive crises, hospitalizations, and deaths. Recent advancements in utilizing hydroxyurea and L-glutamine, which both impact unique disease pathways, should pave way for the identification of other molecular pathways as ideal drug targets. In this regard, our meta-analysis serves to identify key genes and associated pathways that are differentially expressed in SC patients. Methods: We employed our STARGEO platform to tag samples from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus and performed meta-analysis to compare SC and healthy control transcriptomes. For the meta-analysis, we tagged 285 peripheral blood samples from SC patients and 86 samples from healthy subjects as a control. We then analyzed the signature in Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to elucidate top disease functions from our analysis. Results: From our meta-analysis, we identified iron homeostasis signaling, NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response, cell senescence, and pyrimidine interconversion/biosynthesis as top canonical pathways that were upregulated in the peripheral blood samples from SC patients. Top upstream regulators included membrane associated protein and transporter ABCB6, non-coding RNY3, and erythroid maturation transcription factors GATA1, KLF1, and HIPK2 (with predicted activation). The most upregulated genes included inflammatory modulators RNF182 and IFI27, the latter of which has been shown to inhibit vascular endothelial growth and repair. Several membrane-associated protein coding genes such as GYPA, RAP1GAP, and PAQR9 were also upregulated in the SC samples. RAP1GAP is known to modulate neutrophil cell adhesion and homing while PAQR9 has roles in regulating protein quality control: a role also seen in similarly upregulated YOD1, a deubiquitinating enzyme involved in trafficking of misfolded proteins. Expectedly, also upregulated were HBBP1 and SOX6, which regulate globin genes and have been shown to silence γ-globin expression. Lastly, SLC6A19, the neutral amino acid transporter mutated in Hartnup disease, was also upregulated. Of the downregulated genes, WASF3, a member of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family, has been linked to poor survival in many malignancies, including AML and CMML, but has not previously been linked to SCD pathogenesis. ENKUR was also downregulated and has been annotated as a tethering protein to cation channels as well as linked to pathways involving vascular leakage. SIGLEC10, which binds to vascular adhesion proteins, is a key suppressor of inflammatory responses to damage; it's downregulation along with ELAPOR1, a transmembrane protein involved in cellular response to stress, was also observed. Finally, based off the focus genes in our analysis we identified several networks with most being involved in amino acid metabolism, cellular assembly, function, and maintenance, hematological disease, and organismal injury. The top pathway is illustrated in Figure 1. Conclusions: Our study illustrates differentially expressed gene activity in SCD consistent with known pathophysiology such as immune response, endothelial damage and adherence, heme metabolism, and globin regulation. We also showed evidence of genes not previously studied in SCD, which may have novel roles such as those part of the ubiquitin-proteasome system like YOD1 and RNF182. Additionally, while some genes in our analysis like EKLF and GAT1 have been shown to enhance δ-globin expression, paving way for possible drug therapies for B-hemoglobinopathies, others like IFI27, PAQR9, RAP1GAP, ENKUR, SIGLEC10, WASF3, and SOX9 have yet to be studied as mediators of disease pathogenesis in SCD. A target to SOX9, a known suppressor of γ-globin, or ABCB6, a known modulator of erythroid cell shape and hydration, have particularly promising potential as disease modifying therapies. Finally, HIPK2, HBBP1, and SLC6A19 have previously been shown to have intriguing effects on hydroxyurea dosing and responsivity in SC patients and may also be candidate target molecules to enhance existing therapies. These data identify potential candidate pathways for mechanistic studies seeking to confirm a causative role in the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Clinical and Biomarker Predictors for Avascular Necrosis in Sickle Cell Disease

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3091-3091
Author(s):  
Michael Rabaza ◽  
Maria Armila Ruiz ◽  
Liana Posch ◽  
Faiz Ahmed Hussain ◽  
Franklin Njoku ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Avascular Necrosis ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
Early Management

Abstract Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 1 in 365 African Americans and approximately 25 million people world-wide. A common skeletal system complication is avascular necrosis (AVN), which can cause substantial pain and a reduced quality of life. While early management of AVN is focused on increasing range of motion with physical therapy and pain relief, there are no clear predictors for who is more likely to develop AVN and earlier institution of these preventive measure could help decrease disease progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a biomarker of endothelial injury and may indicate reduced vascular supply to the femoral or humeral head. Here we describe potential risk factors and biologic pathways for AVN in SCD, as understanding these may lead to improvements in future monitoring, early detection, and early intervention practices. Methods We investigated clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with AVN in a cohort of 435 SCD patients from our center. Blood samples, clinical, and laboratory data were collected at the time of enrollment during a clinic visit. Genotyping for alpha thalassemia was performed by PCR and the serum concentration of VEGF was measured by ELISA. AVN status was confirmed by review of the medical record and available imaging. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis comparing categorical and linear variables by AVN status using the chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis test, respectively. The independent association of the clinical and laboratory variables with AVN status was determined by logistic regression analysis. The initial model included variables with a P-value &lt; 0.1 on univariate analysis and the final model was ascertained by stepwise forward and backward selection. Median values and interquartile range (IQR) are provided. Results The median age of the cohort was 32 (IQR, 24 - 43) years, 57% (250/435) were female, and 46% (198/435) were on hydroxyurea. AVN was observed in 34% (149/435) of SCD patients. SCD patients with AVN were older, had more frequent vaso-occlusive crises requiring medical attention, and had a higher body mass index (Table I) (P ≤ 0.002). We measured VEGF in 241 of the SCD patients with serum samples available at the time of enrolment. Serum VEGF concentrations trended higher in SCD patients with versus without AVN (420 vs. 359 pg/mL, respectively; P = 0.078). In the multivariate analysis model, AVN was independently associated with increased number of vaso-occlusive crises (OR 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0 - 1.14; P = 0.02), AST concentration (natural log OR 0.5, 95% CI: 0.2 - 0.9; P = 0.03), VEGF concentration (natural log OR 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0 - 1.9; P = 0.047), and tobacco use (OR 1.9, 95% CI: 0.9 - 3.7; P = 0.078). Discussion In conclusion, we demonstrate a high prevalence of AVN in an adult cohort of SCD patients. The presence of AVN was independently associated with a greater frequency of vaso-occlusive pain episodes, which may demonstrate a shared pathophysiology between AVN and vaso-occlusion that merits further investigation. We demonstrate that serum VEGF concentrations are higher in SCD patients with AVN and may be a clinical tool to identify those at high-risk and for earlier intervention for this complication. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Gordeuk: Modus Therapeutics: Consultancy; Novartis: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; Emmaus: Consultancy, Research Funding; Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy. Saraf: Pfizer: Research Funding; Global Blood Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.

scholarly journals Alkaline Phosphatase Is Associated with Red Cell Alloimmunization in the Pulmonary Hypertension and Hypoxic Response (PUSH) Sickle Cell Disease Cohort

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 20-20
Author(s):  
Victoria Brooks ◽  
Oluwalonimi Adebowale ◽  
Victor R. Gordeuk ◽  
Sergei Nekhai ◽  
James G. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Red Cell ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
History Of

Background: Blood transfusion is a common therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD). Although, highly effective, a major limitation is development of alloantibodies to minor blood group antigens on donor red cells. Alloimmunization has a prevalence of 2-5% for transfusions in the general population, but it is significantly higher in SCD. Risk factors for alloimmunization have been poorly characterized, although number of lifetime transfusions is an important risk factor. Alloimmunization has been clinically observed in children with a prevalence of about 7%. With development of each antibody, blood donor matching becomes increasingly difficult and expensive with an increased risk for transfusion reactions and diminished availability of compatible red cell units for treatment of SCD. The ability to identify risk factors for developing alloantibodies would be beneficial for clinicians. To identify markers for alloimmunization in SCD, we have analyzed children and adults who developed this complication. Methods: We analyzed The Pulmonary Hypertension and Hypoxic Response in Sickle Cell Disease (PUSH) study, which enrolled n=468 pediatric and n=59 adult SCD subjects. In both children and adults, alloimmunization cases were defined as a history of at least 1 alloantibody. Controls in both cohorts were defined as subjects with no history of alloantibodies and receipt of more than 10 lifetime red cell transfusions. All others within the study who did not meet these criteria were assigned to a third comparison group. To identify differences between cases, controls and all others, we performed univariate analyses (using ANOVA or Kruskal Wallace where appropriate) for clinical parameters and laboratories. Case control comparisons were also performed for selected variables and plasma levels for 11 cytokines. Results were further analyzed using regression modeling. Results: The overall prevalence of alloimmunization was 7.3% among children (34/468 subjects; median age 12, range 3-20 years) compared to 28.8% in adults (17/59 subjects; median age 37, range 18-73 years). When only considering those with &gt;10 lifetime transfusions, the prevalence was considerably higher at 29.3% and 54.8% in children and adults, respectively. At the same time, 8 pediatric (23.5%) and 5 adult (29.4%) alloimmunization cases had received fewer than 10 transfusions. In a 3-way pediatric cohort comparison (cases, controls and all others), risk factors associated with alloimmunization included SS genotype, older age and markers of more severe disease (higher ferritin, WBCs, platelets and total bilirubin). Comparison of cases to controls showed alkaline phosphatase (P=0.05) was significantly lower in cases, whereas AST (P=0.02) was significantly higher even with adjustment for age. Levels of plasma cytokines MCP-1 (P=0.01) and IFNgamma (P=0.08) were lower in cases from a subset of the pediatric cohort. In adults, only 4/59 (6.8%) subjects had never received a lifetime transfusion (all non-SS). In the adult 3-way comparisons, only SS genotype and higher ferritin were associated with alloimmunization. The adult case control analysis showed higher absolute monocyte count (P=0.02), absolute eosinophil count (P=0.04) and absolute basophil count (P=0.008) in association with alloimmunization cases. In addition, alkaline phosphatase was again significantly lower among cases (P=0.02) as seen in the pediatric cohort. There were no significant differences in cytokine levels among adults. Conclusions: When considering only transfused SCD patients, the prevalence of alloimmunization is higher than 30%. As seen in prior studies, higher lifetime red cell transfusions are an important risk factor especially among adults where most patients have received transfusions. Children who develop alloantibodies appear to have laboratory markers of more severe disease, but this is not observed in adults. A novel association observed across both pediatric and adult subjects is a significantly lower serum alkaline phosphatase in those with alloantibodies. The results of this study suggest a need for improved tracking of red cell transfusion therapy in the US for SCD patients due to a high prevalence of alloimmunization. Further study is also needed to elucidate the significance of the alkaline phosphatase association. Disclosures Gordeuk: CSL Behring: Consultancy, Research Funding; Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Ironwood: Research Funding; Imara: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Cardiac Injury and Microvascular Ischemia in Sickle Cell Disease

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2286-2286
Author(s):  
Kiranveer Kaur ◽  
Ying Huang ◽  
Subha Raman ◽  
Eric H. Kraut ◽  
Payal Desai
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell Disease ◽  
Myocardial Perfusion ◽  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Cardiac Mri ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Cardiac Injury ◽  
Microvascular Disease ◽  
Elevated Troponin ◽  
Cell Disease ◽  
Troponin Elevation

Introduction: Myocardial ischemic injury remains an under recognized problem in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), for which the exact prevalence remains undefined. SCD patients are known to have microvascular disease, impaired myocardial perfusion reserve and lack of typical epicardial vessel involvement based on prior data. Previous study at our institution has demonstrated that 3/22(13%) patients with clinically stable sickle cell disease had impaired myocardial perfusion reserve but no epicardial coronary artery disease. In this study, we will aim to learn prevalence of cardiac injury and microvascular ischemic disease. We will also evaluate for impact of these findings on overall survival (OS) of SCD patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with SCD seen at OSU Wexner Medical Center from July 2005 to July 2015 to identify patients who had elevated troponin-I level or cardiac MRI performed for chest pain. Clinical and laboratory data around the time of cardiac MRI and troponin elevation was collected. Abnormal MRI was defined in three ways: 1) Microvascular disease was defined by presence of subendocardial or myocardial perfusion defects and myocardial scarring. 2) Myocardial disease otherwise includes other findings suggestive but not specific for myocardial ischemia including left ventricular dysfunction, midmyocardial fibrosis, inflammation and regional wall motion abnormalities. 3) Abnormal MRI includes patients described in either 1) or 2). Kaplan-Meier (KM) method was used to evaluate the impact of microvascular disease defined in all 3 ways on OS. Proportional hazards model was fit to estimate the association between troponin elevation and OS, where troponin elevation was treated as a time-dependent variable and OS was measured from time of birth. Results: Sixty-nine (51% male; genotype Hb SS 75%, SC 16%, and Sβ-thal 9%) of 373 SCD patients had either abnormal troponin and/or had cardiac MRI done. Median age was 34 years (range 19-67 years). Of 238 patients who had troponin-I measured over this period, 18 % (n=42) had elevated troponin. 24 of 47 patients with cardiac MRI showed abnormalities described above specific for microvascular disease (n=14, 30%) and myocardial disease otherwise (n=10, 21%). We identified 22 patients with troponin measurement within 30 days before cardiac MRI. Elevated troponin levels predicted MRI abnormalities with sensitivity of 71% (95% confidence interval (CI) 42-92%) and specificity of 63% (95% CI 24-91%). The degree of troponin elevation did not correlate with the MRI abnormality. Hazard ratio of death in patients with elevated troponin was 5.1 (95% CI 2.7-9.6; p<0.0001). While the KM survival curves show lower OS in patients in abnormal MRI (p=0.74) and microvascular disease (p=0.42; Figure 1) group compared with normal MRI, the comparisons were not statistically significant. There was no difference in OS for patients with nonspecific myocardial disease findings (p=0.59). Conclusion: Over a 10-year period, the prevalence of cardiac injury as measured by elevated troponin was 18% (42/238) in patients with atypical chest pain. Among 47 patients who had cardiac MRI performed, 51% were abnormal with 30% having findings specific for microvascular cardiac disease. Troponin elevation appears to significantly increase the risk of all-cause mortality. Patient with microvascular and myocardial ischemic disease tend to have lower OS, but it did not reach statistical significance. This could be one of the potential contributing factors to high early mortality and sudden deaths in SCD patients. Further studies will be needed to elaborate on disease modifying interventions that impact survival in these patients. Disclosures Desai: Novartis: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Potomac: Speakers Bureau; Global Blood Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; University of Pittsburgh: Research Funding; Ironwood: Other: Adjudication Board.

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