NCT03877809

Testing SIROLIMUS in Beta-thalassemia Transfusion Dependent Patients

A Personalized Medicine Approach for Beta-thalassemia Transfusion Dependent Patients: Testing SIROLIMUS in a First Pilot Clinical Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 26 (actual)
• Sponsor: Rare Partners srl Impresa Sociale · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Beta-thalassemias are hereditary blood disorders caused by reduced or absent synthesis of hemoglobin beta chains, with variable outcomes ranging from severe anemia to clinically asymptomatic individuals. Treatment is symptomatic and thalassemia is a major unmet medical need. Survival is increased, even in patients needing transfusions, in comparison with a few years ago, but the quality of life is poor for many patients. In some patients, an anomalous expression of gamma-globin genes has been observed, with a consequent rise in Fetal Hemoglobin levels. The patients displaying a clinical phenotype known as Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Hemoglobin (HPFH) exhibit a positive clinical status. To mimick HPFH, several compounds able to induce expression of fetal hemoglobins (HbF) have been evaluated. Within this framework, sirolimus is particularly interesting as an inducer of HbF. It has been used for many years for different indications and the available preclinical evidence warrant the start of a clinical development plan in thalassemia. The investigators propose a clinical trial in beta-thalassemia patients, designed to evaluate the effect of sirolimus on several parameters related to red blood cell status and to the level of HbF in particular, as a first step for the full clinical development in this new indication.

Detailed description

The general aim of the protocol is to demonstrate the applicability of a personalised and precision medicine approach in beta-thalassemia in a clinical trial setting for a repurposed drug, namely sirolimus. The presence of high level of Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) is considered a condition predictive of a favourable outcome in thalassemia and its increase induced by pharmacological agents is considered a potential way to improve clinical status of the patients. In the present trial, in terms of efficacy analysis, the investigators will focus their attention on HbF levels. Primary objective: • To evaluate the suitability of sirolimus for the treatment of beta-thalassemia patients within the frame of a comprehensive project aimed to the reduction of their transfusions need (consequently ameliorating their quality of life). This goal can be obtained through a pharmacologically mediated increased level of HbF, with a prerequisite to be verified, namely the correlation between induction of HbF in vitro and in vivo in single patients. Secondary objectives: * To assess safety of sirolimus and correlation between administered dose and blood levels in beta-thalassemia patients, * To assess the influence of sirolimus on transfusion regimen * To assess the effect of sirolimus on hematopoietic and immune system of thalassemia patients.

Conditions

• Beta-Thalassemia

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Sirolimus 0.5 mg	Daily administration of 1 or more tablets

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-06-27
• Primary completion: 2022-04-30
• Completion: 2022-04-30
• First posted: 2019-03-18
• Last updated: 2024-01-23

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Italy