Early Predictors of Fetal Hemoglobin Response to Hydroxyurea in Sickle Cell Disease.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2344-2344
Author(s):  
Kristine Partovi ◽  
Sabrina Martyr ◽  
Vicki McGowan ◽  
Roberto Machado ◽  
James Taylor ◽  
...  

Abstract We investigated the kinetics of hematologic change in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD, HbSS, n=6) or SC disease (HbSC, n=1) who had been newly started on hydroxyurea (HU), with the intention of identifying early correlates to fetal hemoglobin (HbF) responsiveness. We found that HbF increased in all patients on HU, and that the half-maximal degree of HbF response could be estimated by 2 months, in patients’ whose MCVs had risen ≥ 10% above baseline. All 7 patients were treated with HU and followed closely for 6 months or more, until hematologic stability. Hematologic stability was apparent by ≥ 5 months. White blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), reticulocyte (retic) count, % HbF, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were examined at bi-weekly intervals. Baseline values (1 or 2 values averaged) were compared with mean values obtained during weeks 2 to 8 (3 or 4 values averaged). As expected, by 2 months WBC and ANC had fallen 30 +/− 8% and 26 +/− 8%, respectively. Change in total hemoglobin (5.8 +/−6.7%), total platelet count (less 11 +/− 10.8%), and LDH (5.3 +/− 8.7%) was not consistent during this two month interval. By eight weeks after initiation of HU, retic counts had dropped in all six SS patients, from 15 to 52% less than baseline while MCV rose 9–21% above baseline; in general, rise in MCV preceded the rise in HbF. Overall, by the time of hematologic stability, all patients had increased their percent HbF, at between 3–8.5-fold relative to baseline; baseline percent HbF of total hemoglobin (Hgb) ranged from 0.7 to 8.3% and, after stabilization, from 5.2% to 24.9%. Maximal percentage of Hgb that was accounted for by HbF at stabilization was arbitrarily set at 100; at 8 weeks, all patients had achieved ≥ 42% of their maximal HbF level, mean 55 +/− 9.4% of maximum HbF. Two additional patients in whom extensive lab data were available, but who were suspected to be non-compliant or sub-therapeutically treated, had a >10% rise in MCV that was temporally associated with an inflection upward for HbF. Patient 8 had mean bi-weekly MCVs of 94, 91, 93, and, after a family conference, 102 (p=.003); Concurrent HbF was 7, 6, 6 and then 10 (p=.046). Patient 9 had mean bi-weekly MCVs on low-dose HU of 97, 96, and, after dose adjustment, 109(p=.003); HbF was 2%, 3%, and then 5 (p=.0094). We speculate that, in many patients, an increase in MCV above baseline of ≥ 10% is a marker of adequate HU dosing, and that HbF levels at that time approximate half-maximal response. A larger series will be necessary to confirm this relationship; a predictive model, correlating MCV and HbF responsiveness, could be used to determine sufficiency of, and compliance to, HU therapy, and to early identify patients who are at high-risk from SCD (e.g. with pulmonary hypertension) whose HbF responsiveness may not be adequate from HU alone. Figure Figure

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhara A. Al-Ali ◽  
Rana K. Fallatah ◽  
Esra A. Aljaffer ◽  
Eman R. Albukhari ◽  
Neriman Sadek Al-Ali ◽  
...  

Disease severity of sickle cell anemia is highly variable, and it is commonly accepted that fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels play a major role as an ameliorating factor. Investigation of genetic variants have identified several genes to be the principal influencers of HbF regulation. Here, we further elucidated the association of rs4527238 and rs35685045 of ANTXR1 genes in the context of HbF level variance in sickle cell anemia patients of the Arab-Indian haplotype. Samples from 630 sickle cell anemia patients were analyzed for the mutations at 2 specific locations of the ANTXR1 gene by TaqMan®-based real-time PCR. The CC genotype (p = 0.018) of rs4527238 and the TT genotype (p = 0.048) of rs35685045 of ANTXR1 were found to be significantly associated with low HbF expression. The frequency of the CC genotype of rs4527238 was observed to be high in the low HbF patient group compared to the high HbF group (p = 0.009). Likewise, the frequency of the TT genotype of rs35685045 was also high among the low HbF group (p = 0.017). The ANTXR1 genetic mutations and the association with HbF expression in the Arab-Indian haplotype sickle cell patients revealed that the ANTXR1 gene may be a major HbF modulator leading to potential therapeutic options that should be further explored.


Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 1124-1128
Author(s):  
EP Vichinsky ◽  
BH Lubin

Hydroxyurea can increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and improve the clinical course of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. However, several issues of hydroxyurea therapy remain unresolved, including differences in patients' drug clearance, predictability of drug response, reversibility of sickle cell disease-related organ damage by hydroxyurea, and the efficacy of elevated HbF. We treated two patients with hydroxyurea for periods of 1 to 4 years, monitoring clinical course and laboratory parameters at regular intervals. The first patient (patient A) had a history of chronic pain and extensive hospitalizations. The second patient (patient B) had a history of stroke and refused to continue with chronic transfusion therapy and chelation. Both patients showed a fivefold to tenfold increase in HbF (5% to 25%, 3% to 31%). However, patient A developed an acute chest syndrome, despite an HbF level of 20%. After red blood cell transfusions for hypoxia, the HbF level decreased to 5%. When hydroxyurea dosage was increased, pancytopenia developed and was not resolved until 2 months after hydroxyurea was discontinued; Patient B developed a cerebral hemorrhage on hydroxyurea; he died shortly thereafter. His HbF level was 21% before death. We noted an increase in HbF and a general improvement in the two patients. However, both experienced major SCD-related complications despite HbF levels over 20%. Our findings also suggest that the progressive vascular changes associated with SCD are unlikely to be dramatically affected by increased HbF levels. Because neither the efficacy nor the toxicity of hydroxyurea have been thoroughly investigated, physicians should be cautious in prescribing hydroxyurea for patients with SCD before completion of the National Clinical Trial.


Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 102 (12) ◽  
pp. 3865-3870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yogen Saunthararajah ◽  
Cheryl A. Hillery ◽  
Don Lavelle ◽  
Robert Molokie ◽  
Louise Dorn ◽  
...  

Abstract Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) decreases polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and improves outcomes in sickle cell disease (SSD). Therefore, a therapeutic goal in SSD is pharmacologic reactivation of HbF. Silencing of the γ-globin (HbF) gene is associated with DNA methylation. The cytosine analog 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (decitabine) hypomethylates DNA by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase. We examined if subcutaneous decitabine could increase HbF levels and improve SSD pathophysiology without cytotoxicity. Eight symptomatic SSD patients resistant or intolerant of standard treatment with hydroxyurea received decitabine 0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously 1 to 3 times per week in 2 cycles of 6-week duration. Treatment decreased neutrophils and increased mean HbF (6.5% to 20.4%, P < .0001) and mean total hemoglobin (76 to 96 g/L [7.6 to 9.6 g/dL], P < .001). Features of vaso-occlusive crisis pathophysiology such as red cell adhesion, endothelial damage, and coagulation pathway activity significantly improved. γ-Globin gene promoter methylation decreased, and platelets and the proportion of megakaryocytes and erythroid cells in the marrow increased without a decrease in marrow cellularity, consistent with a DNA hypomethylating, noncytotoxic mechanism of action. Weekly subcutaneous decitabine produces cumulative increases in HbF and total hemoglobin through a noncytotoxic mechanism of action. Chronic dosing and sustained increases in hemoglobin F and total hemoglobin levels may be possible. Further studies in SSD and thalassemia are indicated.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3802-3802
Author(s):  
George T. Roberts

Abstract Background: The painful crises of sickle cell disease (SCD) are characteristically localized to the skeleton. Various lines of evidence suggest that bone and bone marrow (BM) infarction contribute to the pathophysiology of such pain in which sickled red blood cells (SRBC) are believed to play a part. However, there is little information about the morphological characteristics and role of SRBC in BM during the crises or indeed, in the “steady state”. Occasional light microscopic observations in the BM of SCD patients show numerous markedly distorted cells, presumed to be SRBC, types of which have not been previously reported from this site or the peripheral blood (PB). We therefore studied a series of BM biopsies from SCD patients to determine whether such changes are consistently present. Methods: We microscopically reviewed archival BM biopsies from SCD patients for abnormally shaped RBC and compared the findings with SRBC on Wright-stained smears of PB collected simultaneously with the biopsies. The material consisted of Wright-Giemsa stained smears of aspirated BM and hematoxylin-eosin stained histological sections of clotted aspirate and / or trephine biopsies. We also examined fresh BM RBC by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (EM). We determined the relationship between the percentage of SRBC in BM and PB on the one hand, and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels on the other. Results: We studied the BM of 43 SCD patients. By LM, we observed markedly distorted RBC in the BM of the majority of patients who also had BM SRBC that were more typical forms. The distorted forms included vastly elongated erythrocytes, measuring up to 40 microns in length and less than 1 micron in width, some fixed into rod like structures, but others as sinuous, snake-like forms that have not been previously described. Scanning EM appearances also confirmed the features observed by LM. By contrast, none of PB samples showed similarly distorted SRBC. Although the percentage of typical SRBC in BM was concordant with that in the PB (p<0.001) SRBC numbers in both PB and BM were inversely proportional to the level of HbF.(Table 1) Conclusion: We conclude that the proportions of markedly distorted SRBC present in the BM of SCD patients are inversely proportional to HbF level and may thus play a pathogenetic role in the localization of severe pain to the skeleton during painful crises. Table 1. Correlations between sickled RBC estimates and blood fetal hemoglobin levels MSRBC MARROW MBMSRBC MSRBCLOT+TREPHINE MSRBC PB MSRBC= Mean SRBC marrow and peripheral blood together. MBMSRBC = Mean SRBC in bone marrow aspirates only. MSRBCLOT+TREPHINE = Mean SRBC, clotted marrow aspirate and trephine together. MSRBCPB = Mean SRBC in peripheral blood. MHbF = Mean HbF level in blood. r = correlation coefficient. NS = Not significant. MHbF MHbF MHbF MHbF r −0.3806 −0.3293 −0.2685 −0.384 p < 0.05 < 0.05 NS < 0.05


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 2018-2018
Author(s):  
David Matson ◽  
Keqiang Xie ◽  
Mark Roth ◽  
Billy Stuart ◽  
Paul Bruno ◽  
...  

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder of the red blood cells caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, which results in red blood cell sickling, hemolysis, vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), and other complications. Increasing HbF has the potential to prevent or reduce disease-related pathophysiology, including the risk of recurring events such as hemolysis and VOCs. Individuals with SCD who also have hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) and exhibit HbF levels of 25 - 30% are often asymptomatic from their SCD, underscoring the protective effect of increased HbF in SCD. Preclinical results with FTX-6058 demonstrate robust target engagement and corresponding increases in HbF levels up to approximately 40% of total hemoglobin, demonstrating the potential to have a significant impact in people living with SCD. FTX-6058 is an investigational, potent, and selective oral small-molecule inhibitor of Embryonic Ectoderm Development (EED) that has been demonstrated to induce robust fetal hemoglobin (HbF) protein expression in cell and murine models of SCD. Here, we report the in vivo effects of EED modulation, and subsequent polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) inhibition in the Townes mouse model of Sickle Cell Disease. Compared with untreated and hydroxyurea treated animals, FTX-6058 (QD, 5mg/kg) exhibits potent target engagement as evidenced by ~70% reduction in H3K27me3 levels, the key epigenetic mark catalyzed by PRC2. Consistent with the robust target engagement observed with FTX-6058, a 2 - 3 fold increase in F cells and HbF protein were observed after 13 and 21 days of FTX-6058 treatment, which was pharmacologically superior to the fetal hemoglobin induction observed with 100 mg/kg hydroxyurea (~25% relative increase in F cells and HbF protein). A linear correlation was also observed between F cells and HbF protein production with FTX-6058 treatment, further supporting the robust HbF induction observed. Consistent with SCD disease presentation, Townes model mice have high reticulocyte counts as a result of premature RBC destruction and hemolysis. Townes model mice treated for 21 days with FTX-6058 ameliorated hemolysis as evidenced by decreases in reticulocytes and increases in red blood cells and total hemoglobin levels. Furthermore, FTX-6058 demonstrated the ability to impact inflammatory drivers of disease as evidenced by decreases in neutrophils and white blood cells. FTX-6058 did not have effects on other hematopoietic lineages. FTX-6058 also impacted pathophysiologic symptoms (e.g., splenomegaly) associated with SCD, as evidenced by ~25% reduction in spleen weight. While some trends were detected, no statistically significant changes were observed in hematological parameters or pathophysiologic symptoms with hydroxyurea, the current standard of care in SCD. These results observed with hydroxyurea underscore the need for new, novel therapies in SCD and other hemoglobinopathies. Taken together, these studies further support the therapeutic rationale of PRC2 modulation in SCD. The fetal hemoglobin induction and effects on hematological parameters and pathophysiologic symptoms observed with FTX-6058 have the potential to translate to meaningful clinical benefits in SCD and other hemoglobinopathies. Disclosures Matson: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment. Xie: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Ended employment in the past 24 months. Roth: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Stuart: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Bruno: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Efremov: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Thompson: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Silver: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Moxham: Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company.


Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 1124-1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
EP Vichinsky ◽  
BH Lubin

Abstract Hydroxyurea can increase fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and improve the clinical course of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. However, several issues of hydroxyurea therapy remain unresolved, including differences in patients' drug clearance, predictability of drug response, reversibility of sickle cell disease-related organ damage by hydroxyurea, and the efficacy of elevated HbF. We treated two patients with hydroxyurea for periods of 1 to 4 years, monitoring clinical course and laboratory parameters at regular intervals. The first patient (patient A) had a history of chronic pain and extensive hospitalizations. The second patient (patient B) had a history of stroke and refused to continue with chronic transfusion therapy and chelation. Both patients showed a fivefold to tenfold increase in HbF (5% to 25%, 3% to 31%). However, patient A developed an acute chest syndrome, despite an HbF level of 20%. After red blood cell transfusions for hypoxia, the HbF level decreased to 5%. When hydroxyurea dosage was increased, pancytopenia developed and was not resolved until 2 months after hydroxyurea was discontinued; Patient B developed a cerebral hemorrhage on hydroxyurea; he died shortly thereafter. His HbF level was 21% before death. We noted an increase in HbF and a general improvement in the two patients. However, both experienced major SCD-related complications despite HbF levels over 20%. Our findings also suggest that the progressive vascular changes associated with SCD are unlikely to be dramatically affected by increased HbF levels. Because neither the efficacy nor the toxicity of hydroxyurea have been thoroughly investigated, physicians should be cautious in prescribing hydroxyurea for patients with SCD before completion of the National Clinical Trial.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cyril Cyrus ◽  
Chittibabu Vatte ◽  
J. Francis Borgio ◽  
Abdullah Al-Rubaish ◽  
Shahanas Chathoth ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives.β-Thalassemia and sickle cell disease are genetic disorders characterized by reduced and abnormalβ-globin chain production, respectively. The elevation of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) can ameliorate the severity of these disorders. In sickle cell disease patients, the HbF level elevation is associated with three quantitative trait loci (QTLs),BCL11A,HBG2 promoter, andHBS1L-MYBintergenic region. This study elucidates the existence of the variants in these three QTLs to determine their association with HbF levels of transfusion-dependent Saudiβ-thalassemia patients.Materials and Methods. A total of 174 transfusion-dependentβ-thalassemia patients and 164 healthy controls from Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia were genotyped for fourteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the three QTL regions using TaqMan assay on real-time PCR.Results. Genotype analysis revealed that six alleles ofHBS1L-MYBQTL (rs9376090Cp=0.0009, rs9399137Cp=0.008, rs4895441Gp=0.004, rs9389269Cp=0.008, rs9402686Ap=0.008, and rs9494142Cp=0.002) were predominantly associated withβ-thalassemia. In addition, haplotype analysis revealed that haplotypes ofHBS1L-MYB(GCCGCACp=0.022) andHBG2 (GTTp=0.009) were also predominantly associated withβ-thalassemia. Furthermore, theHBS1L-MYBregion also exhibited association with the high HbF cohort.Conclusion. The stimulation of HbF gene expression may provide alternative therapies for the amelioration of the disease severity ofβ-thalassemia.


2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (33) ◽  
pp. 11869-11874 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Lettre ◽  
V. G. Sankaran ◽  
M. A. C. Bezerra ◽  
A. S. Araujo ◽  
M. Uda ◽  
...  

Hematology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (1) ◽  
pp. 362-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepa Manwani ◽  
Paul S. Frenette

Abstract Recurrent and unpredictable episodes of vaso-occlusion are the hallmark of sickle cell disease. Symptomatic management and prevention of these events using the fetal hemoglobin–reactivating agent hydroxyurea are currently the mainstay of treatment. Discoveries over the past 2 decades have highlighted the important contributions of various cellular and soluble participants in the vaso-occlusive cascade. The role of these elements and the opportunities for therapeutic intervention are summarized in this review.


2002 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 1706-1728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin H. Steinberg

High fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels inhibit the polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and reduce the complications of sickle cell disease. Pharmacologic agents that can reverse the switch from γ- to β-chain synthesis — γ-globin chains characterize HbF, and sickle β-globin chains are present in HbS — or selectively increase the proportion of adult erythroid precursors that maintain the ability to produce HbF are therapeutically useful. Hydroxyurea promotes HbF production by perturbing the maturation of erythroid precursors. This treatment increases the total hemoglobin concentration, reduces the vaso-occlusive complications of pain and acute chest syndrome, and attenuates mortality in adults. It is a promising beginning for pharmacologic therapy of sickle cell disease. Still, its effects are inconsistent, trials in infants and children are ongoing, and its ultimate value — and peril — when started early in life are still unknown.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document