Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 1 Year to 19

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplant for children with sickle cell disease and incompatible donors

Official title: A Phase II Pilot Study of Nonmyeloablative Conditioning Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children With Sickle Cell Disease Who Have a Matched Related Major ABO-Incompatible Donor (Sickle-AID)

Run by University of Calgary · NCT03214354 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new way to do a stem cell transplant for children with sickle cell disease who have a donor that doesn't perfectly match to see if it can help them get better.

More Sickle Cell Disease trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages1 Year to 19 Years
SexAll
Enrollment12 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Calgary
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsalemtuzumab
Locations1 site (Calgary, Alberta)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJuly 5, 2017
Main results expectedJuly 2028
Study endsJuly 2028
Registry record updatedMay 1, 2026
Trial IDNCT03214354 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are children aged 12 months to 19 years with sickle cell disease and a matched related major ABO-incompatible donor.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not have a matched related donor or are outside the specified age range may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of a nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who have a matched related major ABO-incompatible donor. The regimen includes alemtuzumab, total body irradiation, and sirolimus for immune suppression. By expanding access to HSCT for patients previously ineligible due to donor restrictions, this study aims to improve treatment outcomes for SCD. Biological studies will monitor red cell engraftment to facilitate early detection and intervention for potential complications.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a curative treatment option for children with sickle cell disease who have incompatible donors.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that ABO incompatibility does not compromise outcomes in HSCT, suggesting this approach may be viable.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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.

Where it's running

  • Alberta Children's Hospital
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

  • Cerebrovascular Reactivity Testing with HD-DOT in Sickle Cell Patients

    This study tests whether high-density diffuse optical tomography can measure brain blood flow and oxygen use in people with sickle cell disease, to see how these signals relate to stroke risk.

    Recruiting Washington University School of Medicine · St Louis, Missouri · NCT07776444

  • Adapting and testing PEN-Plus in Zambian primary care

    Aiming to see if the PEN-Plus package can be adapted and used in two Zambian hospitals to better manage chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and sickle cell in primary care.

    Recruiting Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia · Lusaka, Lusaka Province · NCT07753681

  • Newborn Sickle Cell Screening in Mozambique

    We’re testing a three-part plan to help babies in Mozambique get diagnosed early for sickle cell disease and start care quickly.

    Recruiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Nhamatanda, Sofala · NCT07719972

  • Optimizing Hydroxyurea in Children with Sickle Cell in Africa

    This study tests whether raising hydroxyurea to a maximum tolerated dose is safe and beneficial for Ugandan children with sickle cell anemia already taking a fixed daily dose.

    Recruiting Phase 1/2 Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati · Kampala · NCT07708714

  • Hematopoietic stem cell editing to treat sickle cell disease

    This study tests whether a patient’s own blood stem cells can be edited to remove the sickle cell triggering gene and then returned to the patient.

    Recruiting Phase 1 Boston Children's Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT07708350

  • Virtual reality options to help with VOC pain in adults with SCD

    This study tests whether headset-based virtual reality can help reduce pain for adults with sickle cell disease during vaso-occlusive crises treated in an infusion center.

    Recruiting University of Maryland, Baltimore · Baltimore, Maryland · NCT07674277

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.