Could two old drugs free thalassemia patients from lifelong transfusions?
NCT ID NCT07292259
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase 2 trial tested whether combining thalidomide and hydroxyurea can reduce the need for blood transfusions in people with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. The study enrolled 100 patients over age 2 in Pakistan, where thalassemia is common and life expectancy is low. Participants took both drugs daily for a year, and researchers tracked how many transfusions they needed compared to before treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
thalidomide and hydroxyurea
What this could lead to
If successful, this drug combination could reduce or eliminate the need for regular blood transfusions in people with severe beta thalassemia, improving quality of life and survival in low-resource settings.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial (100 patients) with no control group. Thalidomide has serious risks including birth defects and blood clots, and the combination may cause side effects that limit its use.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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AFBMTC (CT&RC), CMH Medical Complex
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan
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AFBMTC (CT&RC), Medical Complex
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan
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AFBMTC (Clinical Trial and Research Cell)
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan
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AFBMTC, CMH Medical Complex
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan
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Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center
Islamabad, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan
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Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 44000, Pakistan
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Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan
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Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center Rawalpindi Pakistan
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 46000, Pakistan
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Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center Rawalpindi Pakistan
Rawalpindi, Punjab Province, 60000, Pakistan