Adding hydroxyurea to chronic transfusion therapy for sickle cell anemia reduces transfusion burden.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chronic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is an established therapy to prevent stroke in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). It is unclear if adding daily hydroxyurea treatment to chronic transfusion is beneficial.

Study design and methods

We conducted a phase 2 clinical trial (NCT03644953) investigating the addition of dose-escalated hydroxyurea to chronic transfusion for patients with SCA receiving simple chronic transfusion for stroke prevention. Simple chronic transfusion therapy was administered as per the same protocol before and after hydroxyurea treatment in which the volume transfused was dependent on the pretransfusion hemoglobin (Hb).

Results

A total of 14 participants enrolled with nine completing one year of combination hydroxyurea and trans

SUBMITTER: Nickel RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11750600 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature