HIBISCUS study: Exploring the use of a new drug in patients with sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is a genetic health condition which affect the red blood cells, and particularly common in people with an African or Caribbean background.

Some of the symptoms of sickle cell disease include severe pain episodes called sickle cell crises and anaemia (when the body has fewer red blood cells, or have less haemoglobin in the red blood cells than normal).

For this year’s Black History Month, we wanted to highlight one of our research studies, HIBISCUS, which is exploring the use of a new drug, Etavopiat, in patients with sickle cell disease.

Dr Sara Smith, Haematology Consultant at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Principal Investigator of the HIBISCUS study, explains:

“Etavopiat has previously been used in a research study of patients with pyruvate kinase deficiency (rare genetic condition which causes blood cells to break down faster than normal) and led to an improvement in haemoglobin. Early studies in sickle cell disease have also been very encouraging, with improvements in haemoglobin and reductions in pain episodes.”

The HIBISCUS study started at the King’s College Hospital Denmark Hill campus in June 2022 with patients attending the King’s Clinical Trials Facility for their treatment. This includes a monthly medical review, examination, blood tests and to collect a further supply of the medication. The medication is pre-prescribed and collected by the trial nurses to avoid waiting for a prolonged period.

“For the first 52 weeks of the trial, the patient and the doctor did not know whether the patient was receiving a placebo or the active drug. After this, the patient then receives Etavopivat 400 mg daily, for an additional 112 weeks with a clinic review every 2 months.

“We have three patients who have been part of this trial for more than a year and are now receiving the medication daily, and we also have additional trials in set up for trial for those wishing to continue the medication.”


Tags: NIHR Wellcome King's Clinical Research Facility - King's Clinical Research Facility -

By NIHR Wellcome King's Clinical Research Facility at 31 Oct 2024, 21:19 PM


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