Promoting Utilization and Safety of Hydroxyurea Using Precision in Africa (PUSHUP)

August 19, 2026 updated by: Brown University

BrUOG 419 - Promoting Utilization and Safety of Hydroxyurea Using Precision in Africa (PUSHUP)

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is among the world's most common and devastating blood disorders, affecting more than 300,000 newborns per year. Most infants with SCA are born in the low-resource settings of sub- Saharan Africa, where an estimated 50-90% will die before 5 years of age due to lack of early diagnosis and appropriate care. Hydroxyurea is a safe and effective once-daily oral medication that has become the standard of care for the treatment of children with SCA in high-resource settings. There is now a growing body of evidence to support the safety and clinical benefits of hydroxyurea for the treatment of SCA in sub-Saharan Africa. The requirement for frequent laboratory monitoring, uncertainties about appropriate, most effective dosing, and the concern for hematologic laboratory toxicities, however, will continue to limit widespread hydroxyurea utilization and real-world effectiveness. The investigators have recently developed and prospectively evaluated an individualized, pharmacokinetics-guided hydroxyurea dosing strategy for children with SCA that has demonstrated optimal clinical and laboratory benefits with minimal toxicity. In this research study, the investigators aim to extend this precision medicine approach to Africa.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The Promoting Utilization and Safety of Hydroxyurea Using Precision in Africa (PUSHUP) trial is a prospective, randomized clinical trial of hydroxyurea for 400 children with SCA in Luanda, Angola. The study will prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of hydroxyurea with limited laboratory monitoring and will bring precision medicine to children with SCA using several novel features including measurement of hydroxyurea using a battery-powered HPLC machine and individualized dose calculations using an automated computer-based algorithm. The objective of this study is to establish evidence-based guidelines for hydroxyurea in sub-Saharan Africa, including appropriate dosing and laboratory monitoring strategy with the goal of allowing for widespread use of hydroxyurea across sub-Saharan Africa, regardless of clinical or laboratory resources.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
400

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Angola
      • Luanda, Angola
        • Recruiting
        • Hospital Geral dos Cajueiros
        • Contact:
          • Eugenia Alberto Mateus, MSN

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

6 months to 12 years (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of sickle cell anemia (HbSS or HbS/B0-thalassemia)
  • Age 6 months- 12 years of age at enrollment
  • Parent or guardian willing and able to provide written or informed consent
  • Weight ≥ 7.5 kg (temporary exclusion)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Splenomegaly with evidence of hypersplenism as defined by platelet count <150,000, hemoglobin <5 g/dL or absolute neutrophil count <1.0 x10^9/L
  • Hydroxyurea use within the past 6 months
  • Blood transfusion within the past 6 months (temporary exclusion)
  • Pregnancy
  • Pre-existing severe hematologic toxicity, as defined by platelet count <80,000, hemoglobin <4 regardless of ANC; hemoglobin <6 AND ARC <100; hemoglobin <7 AND ARC <80 x10^9/L (temporary exclusion)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Weight Based Starting Dose
25 mg/kg starting dose Hydroxyurea
Drug: Hydroxyurea
Hydroxyurea has a narrow therapeutic window such that selection of the correct dose is essential to optimize benefits and avoid toxicity.
Other Names:
  • Hydrea
  • Droxia
Experimental: PK-guided starting dose
Individualized, PK-guided starting dose Hydroxyurea
Drug: Hydroxyurea
Hydroxyurea has a narrow therapeutic window such that selection of the correct dose is essential to optimize benefits and avoid toxicity.
Other Names:
  • Hydrea
  • Droxia

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Rate of clinical, sickle cell adverse events (grade ≥ 3) as assessed by CTCAE v5.0
Time Frame: From start of study treatment through first 12 months of treatment.
These events will primarily include vaso-occlusive painful events, acute chest syndrome, stroke, acute splenic sequestration, and death. Data regarding adverse events, including severity grade and relatedness to SCA will be determined on site by the local investigator. All events will be centrally adjudicated by a blinded hematologist who is not a primary study investigator (Medical Safety Monitor) for inclusion in this endpoint.
From start of study treatment through first 12 months of treatment.
Number of non-SCA related adverse events (grade ≥3), including death as assessed by CTCAE v5.0
Time Frame: From start of study treatment through treatment completion, approximately 24 months.
The clinical event rate with limited laboratory monitoring will be compared to the 3-months prior to hydroxyurea therapy.
From start of study treatment through treatment completion, approximately 24 months.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Hematologic response at 12 months
Time Frame: From start of study treatment through first 12 months of treatment.
As measured by %HbF, proportion of participants in each arm with HbF ≥ 30%, hemoglobin, absolute reticulocyte count, absolute neutrophil count, platelet count, and mean corpuscular volume), hematologic laboratory toxicities (dose limiting toxicities defined a priori), hospitalizations, death, and all adverse events grade ≥ 3 (SCA and non-SCA related) as assessed by CTCAE v5.0.
From start of study treatment through first 12 months of treatment.

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaires
Time Frame: From start of study treatment through treatment completion, approximately 24 months.
To evaluate the utility and validity of two established measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients and families affected by SCA in Angola before and after hydroxyurea treatment. we will evaluate the Pediatric Quality of Life Sickle Cell Disease (PedsQL SCD) module for children ≥ 2 years of age and the PedsQL™ Family Impact Module for families of all enrolled participants. We will also utilize the International Sickle Cell World Assessment Survey (SWAY). These tools are available in the Portuguese language; for consistency and to account for the likely low literacy rate in the population, all surveys will be administered verbally to participants by study staff, recorded on paper or via tablet. We will compare results before and after hydroxyurea treatment. We will compare results to each other and to the published literature from other SCA populations.
From start of study treatment through treatment completion, approximately 24 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Brown University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Novartis

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Patrick T McGann, MD, MS, Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
November 15, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 1, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 9, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 18, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 20, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 19, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • BrUOG 419
  • U01HL157872 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

Yes

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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