Trial of HQK-1001 in Beta Thalassemia Intermedia in Lebanon

Summary

Beta thalassemia intermedia syndromes are genetic anemias caused by mutations which reduce production of beta globin, a major component of adult hemoglobin A, the protein which delivers oxygen throughout the body. Patients suffer from poor growth, fatigue, heart failure, endocrine deficiencies, and eventually, many require chronic blood transfusions. There is no approved therapeutic for the deficiency of beta globin chains in beta thalassemia. This trial will study an oral therapeutic which stimulates production of fetal globin, an alternate type which is produced by all humans, but is normally switched off in infancy. This type of globin can compensate for the missing protein in beta thalassemia.

Timeline

Start

2012-05

Primary completion

2012-11

Completion

2013-01

Publications

• 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.
• 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.

Drugs

Indications