Clinical Trial: A Pilot Therapeutic Trial Using Hydroxyurea in Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Pilot Therapeutic Trial Using Hydroxyurea in Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients

Brief Summary: The objectives of this trial are: to establish a safety profile for use of Hydroxyurea in children with Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy; to identify reliable outcome measures for HU treatment in Type I SMA; and to detect the clinical efficacy of HU treatment in children with Type I SMA.

Detailed Summary:

SMA is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by degeneration of spinal cord motor neurons and muscular atrophy. SMA is classified into three clinical subtypes according to the severity and age of onset (Types I, II and III). Type I SMA (also called severe, infantile or acute SMA, or Werdnig-Hoffman disease) is the most severe phenotype. The onset of symptoms is within the first 6 months of life, and weakness of intercostal muscles and lack of airway protection lead to respiratory insufficiency and aspiration pneumonia, often resulting in early infant death.

In our laboratory, our preliminary results indicate that HU treatment significantly increases both SMN mRNA expression and intact SMN protein levels in vitro. These data confirm previous observations that in vitro treatments of SMA lymphocytes with hydroxyurea resulted in augmentation of the SMN2 gene expression in a dose and time related manner. Based on these exciting pre-clinical data, coupled with the well-documented side-effect profile of HU in children, we are conducting a pilot clinical trial using HU in children with Type I SMA. This clinical trial study is intended to establish the safety profile in children with Type I SMA; to identify reliable outcome measures; and to detect the possible clinical efficacy of HU treatment in children with Type I SMA.


Sponsor: Stanford University

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Safety: Frequency of Adverse Events/Lab Abnormalities
  • Efficacy: Length of survival (LOS) and age of ventilator dependence (AVD)


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Motor Unit Number Estimation (MUNE)
  • Biomarker Assays: SMN Protein and SMN mRNA


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Stanford University

Dates:
Date Received: December 4, 2007
Date Started: January 2004
Date Completion:
Last Updated: July 7, 2009
Last Verified: July 2009