Sickle cell drug trial in kids halted early – but data may still help
NCT ID NCT04218084
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested a daily pill called voxelotor in children aged 2 to 14 with sickle cell disease who had slightly abnormal blood flow in the brain. The goal was to see if the drug could improve that blood flow and reduce stroke risk. The trial was stopped early, but the results may still provide useful information for managing the condition.
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 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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236 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2020
- Finished
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Nov 2024
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
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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2 to 14 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: 1. Male or female participants with Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) HbSS, HbSβ0 thalassemia genotype 2. TCD time averaged maximum of the mean velocity (TAMMV) arterial cerebral blood flow ≥ 170 to \< 200cm/sec during the Screening Period 3. Hb ≥ 5.5 and ≤ 10.5 g/dL during screening 4. For participants taking HU, the dose of HU (mg/kg) must be stable for at least 90 days prior to signing the informed consent form (ICF) and/or assent form, and with no anticipated need for dose adjustments (other than weight based) or for initiation of HU for non-chronic use during the study, in the opinion of the Investigator 5. Written informed parental/guardian consent and participant assent (where applicable) has been obtained per IRB/EC policy and requirements, consistent with ICH guidelines. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Body weight \< 10kg at the screening visit 2. Hospitalization for VOC or acute chest syndrome (ACS) within the 14 days prior to execution of informed consent/assent 3. More than 10 VOCs within the past 12 months that required hospitalization, emergency room, or clinic visit 4. Stroke resulting in focal neurological deficit; previous silent infarcts are permitted. 5. Known history or findings suggestive of significant cerebral vasculopathy 6. History of seizure disorder 7. Has been treated with erythropoietin or other hematopoietic growth factors within 28 days of signing informed consent/assent or if, in the opinion of the Investigator, there is an anticipated need for such agents during the study 8. RBC transfusion therapy (also termed chronic, prophylactic, or preventative transfusion) or has received an RBC transfusion or exchange transfusion for any reason within 90 days of signing the informed consent/assent
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
Locations
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Abu El Rich Hospital, Cairo University Hospital
Cairo, 11562, Egypt
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Ain Shams University Hospital- Clinical Research Center (MASRI)
Cairo, Abassia, 11566, Egypt
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Alexandria Clinical Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University
Alexandria, 21131, Egypt
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Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
Kano, 700233, Nigeria
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Azienda Ospedaliera Universita' (AOU ) Padova
Padova, 35128, Italy
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Azienda Ospedaliera Universita' (AOU) Padova
Padova, 35128, Italy
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Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (A.O.U.) "Luigi Vanvitelli"
Naples, 80138, Italy
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Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Meyer "A.O.U. Meyer" - SOC "Oncologia, Ematologia e TCSE"
Florence, 50139, Italy
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Barau Dikko Teaching/Kaduna State University
Kaduna, 800212, Nigeria
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Barts Health NHS Trust
London, E1 1BB, United Kingdom
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Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Boston Children's Hospital - Clinical Research Pharmacy
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
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Children's Healthcare of Atlanta: Hughes Spalding
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
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Children's National Medical Center
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States
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College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
Ibadan, Oyo State, 200212, Nigeria
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Department of Child Health, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu
Accra, Greater Accra Region, GA-221-1570, Ghana
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Gertrude's Children Hospital
Nairobi, 100, Kenya
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KEMRI CRDR Clinical Research Annex
Nairobi, 00100, Kenya
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Kemri/Crdr,Siaya,Kemri Clinical Research Annex
Kisumu, Siaya County, 40600, Kenya
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King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), Ministry of National Guard - Health
Riyadh, 11481, Saudi Arabia
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Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital
Kumasi, Ashanti Region, 00233, Ghana
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Lagos University Teaching Hospital
Surulere, Lagos, 100254, Nigeria
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Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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Medical University of South Carolina: Investigational Drug Services
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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Medical University of South Carolina: Shawn Jenkins Women's and Children's Hospital
Charleston, South Carolina, 29425, United States
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Strathmore University Medical Centre
Nairobi, 00200, Kenya
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Sultan َQaboos University Hospital
Muscat, Oman
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Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Texas Children's Hospital - Investigational Pharmacy
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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Texas Children's Hospital- Wallace Tower
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
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University of Miami
Miami, Florida, 33136, United States
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University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, Mississippi, 39216, United States
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University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
Enugu, 460000, Nigeria
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Zagazig University Hospital
Zagazig, Alsharkia, Egypt
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Sickle cell clues to diabetes risk hidden in DNA
- Can adding common pain drugs reduce morphine needs in sickle cell crises?
- Gene editing offers hope for a One-Time sickle cell cure
- Tiny biochip could reveal sickle cell severity
- Can a milder transplant cure sickle cell and thalassemia in adults?
- Can an antioxidant supplement calm sickle cell blood cells?