What the trial was testing
The trial enrolled 70 patients with sickle cell disease. The study was sponsored by Gary M Brittenham, MD and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.
It was initial testing (phase 2). Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.
What the results showed
50%+ fewer respiratory illnesses on monthly vitamin D in year two.
Blood Advances · 2018 · NCT01443728
These findings — that respiratory illnesses on monthly vitamin D in children with sickle cell disease — were published in the Blood Advances and represent the headline result of the study.
Researchers tracked outcomes across 70 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.
What this means for patients
For patients with sickle cell disease, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.
What you can do now
Vitamin D supplements are available over the counter, and high-dose monthly forms are available with a prescription. The U.S. Sickle Cell Disease Association supports checking and treating low vitamin D levels. Ask a hematologist whether your child should be tested and treated.
Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.
Open sickle cell disease trials
A Safety, Efficacy, and Pharmacokinetic (PK) Study of HBI-002, an Oral Carbon Monoxide (CO) Therapeutic, in Subjects With Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
This is a multi-center, open label Phase 2a clinical trial in subjects with sickle cell disease to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of HBI-002, an orally administered liquid containing carbon monoxide (CO), with doses daily for 14 days.
Study of Erythrocyte Parameters and Hypercoagulability in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD-TGA)
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited haemoglobinopathy disorder caused by mutations in HBB gene with amino-acid substitution on β globin chain. The consequence is synthesis of altered haemoglobin S (HbS) which polymerises in red blood cell (RBC) at deoxygenated state. SCD is associated with chronic haemolytic anaemia, vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) leading to frequent hospitalisation. The aim of the study was to to investigate whether a combination of routine laboratory biomarkers of haemolysis could be used to predict VOC development in confirmed SCD patients.