Genes Influencing Iron Overload State

NCT01158794 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: GENIOS
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Iron overload, which can be defined operationally as too much iron in the body, develops as a consequence of too many blood transfusions given, or due to genetic defects hereditary hemochromatosis). Iron accumulates in several organs in the body, such as the heart, liver, endocrine glands (pancreas, thyroid, etc.), and spleen. Excessive iron can damage organs and may even cause death. Iron overload needs to be appropriately monitored and treated to avoid unnecessary morbidity and mortality. The present study, GENIOS, proposes to test prospectively the hypothesis that genetic modifiers influence the iron overload status of patients receiving transfusions. To test this hypothesis, the study will perform genetic studies to investigate possible genetic influences for iron accumulation in the body and will study iron accumulation not only in the liver, but also in the heart, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. In addition: the study will investigate if these same genes have any role during treatment of iron overload, in other words, if certain genetic mutations will influence how iron exits the body. This study will also investigate how substances that are known to control the trafficking of iron in and out of the body and its damaging effects to the tissues (hepcidin and non transferrin-bound iron) are linked to the accumulation of iron in the heart and liver. Iron in the body will be measured by R2\*MRI and no liver biopsies will be required. Genetic studies will be done by specialized tests using peripheral blood DNA. Iron accumulates differently in different people and in different organs of the body. Some people accumulate iron faster than others, even when receiving the same number of blood transfusions

Conditions

Sickle Cell Disease; Thalassemia; Marrow Aplasia

Keywords

Iron overload; Blood Transfusion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• This study will measure genetic modifiers influencing the iron overload status of patients receiving transfusions.

  This study will measure the association between GSTM1 gene deletion and other candidate genes and the accumulation and clearance of body iron.

  Once, at participant enrollment

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• To explore the role of other iron metabolism-associated candidate genes on liver iron concentration of sickle cell patients with transfusional iron-overload.

  Once, at participant enrollment

• To explore the role of GSTM1 genotypes and other iron metabolism-associated candidate genes on maintenance and decline of liver iron concentration of patients with sickle cell disease and transfusional iron-overload.

  Once at baseline compared to 3 years after participant enrollment

• Explore the role of GSTM1 genotypes and other iron metabolism-associated candidate genes on increase, maintenance, and decline of iron concentration patients with sickle cell disease and transfusional iron overload.

  Once at baseline compared to 3 years after participant enrollment

• Explore the role of GSTM1 gene deletion and other iron metabolism-associated candidate genes on increase, maintenance, and decline of iron concentration of non-sickle cell patients* with transfusional iron-overload.

  Once at baseline compared to 3 years after participant enrollment

• Explore the relationship between Non-Transferrin Bound Iron (NTBI), hepcidin, organ function, and iron increase, maintenance, and decline in the liver, heart, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen of patients with transfusional iron overload.

  Once at baseline compared to 3 years after participant enrollment

Study Arms (1)

Study participants

Participants with sickle cell disease and transfusional iron-overload, and non-sickle cell disease (thalassemia major, cancer patients, etc.) and iron overload. Participants with iron overload, defined as too much iron in the body as a consequence of too many blood transfusions.

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Study participants will be patients who receive medical care at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and have developed iron overload secondary to multiple transfusions. Patients will be approached during regular outpatient visits and will be invited to participate in this study if they meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria and consent to participate in the study. Non-sickle cell patients with transfusional iron overload includes patients with thalassemia, bone marrow failure syndromes, and patients who have received multiple blood transfusions due to marrow aplasia secondary to the use of chemotherapeutic agents. About 40 participants with sickle cell disease are targeted. About 10 participants with non-sickle cell disease are targeted.

You may qualify if:

• History of ≥ 12 lifetime erythrocyte transfusions who have not yet initiated treatment to unload iron (iron chelation or therapeutic phlebotomy), or
• History of ≥ 12 lifetime erythrocyte transfusions who have initiated treatment to unload iron, but had liver iron content measurement (by R2\*MRI) within 3 months prior to initiation of iron unloading treatment

You may not qualify if:

• Known contraindication to performance of MRI (e.g.: presence of MRI-incompatible ferromagnetic material in the body)
• Prior participation on the St. Jude MRIRON protocol

Sponsors & Collaborators

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, United States

Location

Related Links

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Clinical Trials Open at St. Jude

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

The total volume of blood transfused (in ml/kg) will be collected and stored in the study database. Cumulative transfused blood volume (in ml/kg) will be captured. Serum samples will be stored frozen at -20°C until the time of analysis. In addition to the protocol-specific testing of specimens, study participants will be offered the option of allowing any leftover purified DNA, serum, or blood cells to be saved or shared for future analyses. Leftover purified genomic DNA, serum, and blood cells from subjects enrolled in the GENIOS protocol will be de-identified prior to storage or any future testing and/or sharing.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anemia, Sickle Cell; Thalassemia; Iron Overload

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital; Anemia, Hemolytic; Anemia; Hematologic Diseases; Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Hemoglobinopathies; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Iron Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Study Officials

• Jane Hankins, MD, MS

  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 7, 2010
• First Posted: July 8, 2010
• Study Start: September 21, 2010
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2016
• Study Completion: April 17, 2019
• Last Updated: September 18, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-09

Locations

US (1)