Hydroxyurea therapy for neurological and cognitive protection in pediatric sickle cell anemia in Uganda (BRAIN SAFE II): Protocol for a single-arm open label trial

Bibliographic Details
Title: Hydroxyurea therapy for neurological and cognitive protection in pediatric sickle cell anemia in Uganda (BRAIN SAFE II): Protocol for a single-arm open label trial
Authors: Vincent Mboizi, Catherine Nabaggala, Deogratias Munube, John M. Ssenkusu, Phillip Kasirye, Samson Kamya, Michael G. Kawooya, Amelia Boehme, Frank Minja, Ezekiel Mupere, Robert Opoka, Caterina Rosano, Richard Idro, Nancy S. Green
Source: Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, Vol 42, Iss , Pp 101404- (2024)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Medicine (General)
Subject Terms: Hydroxyurea, Sickle cell anemia, Neurological and cognitive protection, Transcranial Doppler, Medicine (General), R5-920
More Details: Background: Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) in Sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of sickle cerebrovascular injury (SCVI). Hydroxyurea, a commonly used disease-modifying therapy, may reduce SCVI resulting in potential impact on reducing stroke and cognitive dysfunction. We aim to test the impact of daily hydroxyurea therapy on these outcomes in Ugandan children with SCA. We hypothesized that hydroxyurea therapy over 36 months will prevent, stabilize or improve these complications of SCA. Methods: The BRAIN SAFE II study is an open label, single arm trial of daily hydroxyurea in 270 children with SCA (HbSS) in Uganda, ages 3–9 years. Following baseline assessments, participants began hydroxyurea therapy and are followed according to local guidelines. Standard hydroxyurea dose is escalated to maximum tolerated dose (MTD). SCVI is assessed by cerebral arterial velocity using Doppler ultrasound, with cognitive function determined by formal neurocognitive testing (primary outcomes). Structural SCVI is assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography (MRA) in a sub-sample of 90 participants ages >5 years. At trial midpoint (18 months) and completion (36 months), outcomes of age-specific assessments will be compared to baseline, as well as biomarkers of anemia, inflammation and malnutrition (secondary outcomes) to determine their relationships to primary outcomes. Conclusion: This trial will examine the impact of hydroxyurea on preventing or ameliorating SCA SCVI in children, assessed by reducing incident stroke, stroke risk and neurocognitive dysfunction. Trial results will provide critical insight into the role of hydroxyurea therapy on critical manifestations of SCVI in children with SCA. Trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04750707 (registered 11 February 2021). Protocol version: BRAIN SAFE II Protocol Version 3.0, Mar 02, 2022.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2451-8654
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451865424001510; https://doaj.org/toc/2451-8654
DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101404
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/cc3fdc9015f14c47935d802e52026a20
Accession Number: edsdoj.3fdc9015f14c47935d802e52026a20
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:24518654
DOI:10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101404
Published in:Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications
Language:English