N-Acetylcysteine in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

Summary

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the drug N-Acetylcysteine on the frequency of pain in daily life in patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Pain is an invalidating hallmark of this disease and has a considerable impact on the Quality of Life of patients and the medical health care system. Oxidative stress is hypothesized to play a central role in its pathophysiology. In pilot studies the administration of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) resulted in a reduction of oxidative stress. Moreover, administration of NAC seemed to decrease hospitalization for painful crises in a small pilot study in patients with SCD. This study will be performed as a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial where patients will be treated with either NAC or placebo for a period of 6 months. The investigators expect that NAC can reduce the frequency of pain in patients with SCD, thereby improving their quality of life and participation in society.

Timeline

Start

2013-04

Primary completion

2016-06

Completion

2016-06

Publications

• Background Smith WR, Penberthy LT, Bovbjerg VE, McClish DK, Roberts JD, Dahman B, Aisiku IP, Levenson JL, Roseff SD. Daily assessment of pain in adults with sickle cell disease. Ann Intern Med. 2008 Jan 15;148(2):94-101. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-148-2-200801150-00004.
• Background Nur E, Brandjes DP, Schnog JJ, Otten HM, Fijnvandraat K, Schalkwijk CG, Biemond BJ; CURAMA Study Group. Plasma levels of advanced glycation end products are associated with haemolysis-related organ complications in sickle cell patients. Br J Haematol. 2010 Oct;151(1):62-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2010.08320.x. Epub 2010 Jul 30.
• Background Nur E, Biemond BJ, Otten HM, Brandjes DP, Schnog JJ; CURAMA Study Group. Oxidative stress in sickle cell disease; pathophysiology and potential implications for disease management. Am J Hematol. 2011 Jun;86(6):484-9. doi: 10.1002/ajh.22012. Epub 2011 May 4.
• Background Nur E, Verwijs M, de Waart DR, Schnog JJ, Otten HM, Brandjes DP, Biemond BJ, Elferink RP; CURAMA Study Group. Increased efflux of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) causes glutathione depletion and potentially diminishes antioxidant defense in sickle erythrocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2011 Nov;1812(11):1412-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2011.04.011. Epub 2011 May 3.
• Background Nur E, Brandjes DP, Teerlink T, Otten HM, Oude Elferink RP, Muskiet F, Evers LM, ten Cate H, Biemond BJ, Duits AJ, Schnog JJ; CURAMA study group. N-acetylcysteine reduces oxidative stress in sickle cell patients. Ann Hematol. 2012 Jul;91(7):1097-105. doi: 10.1007/s00277-011-1404-z. Epub 2012 Feb 10.
• Background Pace BS, Shartava A, Pack-Mabien A, Mulekar M, Ardia A, Goodman SR. Effects of N-acetylcysteine on dense cell formation in sickle cell disease. Am J Hematol. 2003 May;73(1):26-32. doi: 10.1002/ajh.10321.
• Background Somjee SS, Warrier RP, Thomson JL, Ory-Ascani J, Hempe JM. Advanced glycation end-products in sickle cell anaemia. Br J Haematol. 2005 Jan;128(1):112-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2004.05274.x.
• Background van Tuijn CF, van Beers EJ, Schnog JJ, Biemond BJ. Pain rate and social circumstances rather than cumulative organ damage determine the quality of life in adults with sickle cell disease. Am J Hematol. 2010 Jul;85(7):532-5. doi: 10.1002/ajh.21731. No abstract available.

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