VIDEO: SUSTAIN trial may have major implications for patients with sickle cell anemia

SAN DIEGO — Results of the randomized phase 2 SUSTAIN trial could dramatically improve the lives of thousands of patients with sickle cell anemia, according to Gregory M. Vercellotti, MD, FACP, a HemOnc Today Editorial Board member and professor of medicine in the division of hematology, oncology and transplantation at University of Minnesota.

Daily hydroxyurea — the only FDA–approved treatment for sickle cell disease complications — can decrease frequency of acute pain crises in adolescents and adults. However, these episodes — the primary cause for health care encounters in this patient population — still occur.

“It’s not enough to use just hydroxyurea because we still have the unrelenting hemolysis and oxidative stress that is leading to inflammation in the blood vessels,” Vercellotti said.

The SUSTAIN trial — conducted by Kenneth I. Ataga, MD, and colleagues — showed the anti–P-selectin antibody crizanlizumab (SEG101, Novartis) significantly reduced frequency of pain crises compared with placebo in adolescents and adults with sickle cell disease.

Crizanlizumab also significantly extended time to first and second sickle cell–related pain crises.

“[The SUSTAIN trial] has importance in verifying that the basic research that has been done in trying to understand the pathophysiology is now coming to fruition with agents that can alter patients’ lives,” Vercellotti said. – by Kristie L. Kahl

Reference:

Ataga KI, et al. Abstract 1. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition; Dec. 3-6, 2016; San Diego.

Disclosure: Vercellotti reports no relevant financial disclosures.