Study of SDMB (2,2 Dimethylbutyrate, Sodium Salt) in Beta Thalassemia Intermedia in Thailand

Summary

Beta thalassemia intermedia is an inherited blood disease caused by molecular mutations which reduce the beta globin protein chain of adult hemoglobin A, the protein in red blood cells which carries oxygen throughout the body. Beta thalassemias cause progressively severe anemia, widespread organ damage, and often require blood transfusions. There is no FDA approved therapeutic to treat the underlying cause of beta thalassemia. Fetal hemoglobin is another type of endogenous hemoglobin which can replace the reduced beta globin protein, reduce the anemia, and even abolish transfusion requirements. This type of hemoglobin is normally suppressed in infancy. Sodium 2,2 dimethylbutyrate (ST20, or HQK-1001) is a small molecule which stimulates production of fetal hemoglobin in nonhuman primates and in human patients in Phase I/II trials. This is a Phase 2 open-label trial to evaluate the ability of this oral therapeutic to reduce anemia in patients with beta thalassemia intermedia, when administered once daily for 26 weeks. All participants will receive the study drug.

Timeline

Start

2012-03

Primary completion

2012-11

Completion

2012-12

Publications

• Background Perrine SP, Castaneda SA, Chui DH, Faller DV, Berenson RJ, Siritanaratku N, Fucharoen S. Fetal globin gene inducers: novel agents and new potential. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Aug;1202:158-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05593.x.
• Background Perrine SP, Wargin WA, Boosalis MS, Wallis WJ, Case S, Keefer JR, Faller DV, Welch WC, Berenson RJ. Evaluation of safety and pharmacokinetics of sodium 2,2 dimethylbutyrate, a novel short chain fatty acid derivative, in a phase 1, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dose, and repeat-dose studies in healthy volunteers. J Clin Pharmacol. 2011 Aug;51(8):1186-94. doi: 10.1177/0091270010379810. Epub 2011 Mar 21.

Drugs

Indications