New hope for kids with sickle cell: stem cell transplant from mismatched blood type donors
NCT ID NCT03214354
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a stem cell transplant for children with sickle cell disease who have a matched family donor whose blood type is incompatible. The goal is to see if a gentle conditioning regimen using alemtuzumab, low-dose radiation, and sirolimus can safely allow the transplant to work. Up to 12 children aged 1 to 18 will be enrolled.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- stem cell transplant with alemtuzumab, total body irradiation, and sirolimus
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer a new transplant option for children with sickle cell disease who have a matched family donor with a different blood type.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small early-phase trial with only 12 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Risks include graft failure, pure red cell aplasia, and side effects from immune suppression.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 12 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2017
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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1 year to 19 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients must be ≥ 12 months and \< 19 years of age at the time of study enrollment. * Patients must have sickle cell disease as defined by hemoglobin electropheresis, as follows: * homozygous Hb S disease (HbSS), * sickle-Hb C disease (HbSC), * sickle beta-plus-thalassemia (HbS/β+), or * sickle beta-null-thalassemia (HbS/βo) * Patients must meet standard eligibility criteria to undergo HSCT, including but not limited to one or more of the following: * history of repeated (more than 1) bony (vaso-occlusive) crisis * history of stroke * elevated transcranial Doppler velocity not eligible for hydroxyurea, as per TWiTCH trial (ie. severe vasculopathy) * history of acute chest crisis or splenic sequestration crisis * history of priapism in males * history of osteonecrosis * pulmonary hypertension as documented by tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (TRV) \> 2.5 m/s on echocardiogram * red cell allo-immunization (≥ 2 antibodies) during long term transfusion therapy * Sickle complications should be present despite the use of hydroxyurea, but this is not an absolute requirement, if the treating team considers the patient to be at high risk for further crisis episodes. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are unable to comply with or follow the study protocol. * Patients with known hypersensitivity to sirolimus, its derivatives or to any of its components.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Alberta Children's Hospital
RECRUITINGCalgary, Alberta, T3B 6A8, Canada
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