New treatments and therapies for people with Fanconi anemia are not possible without research. Listed below are current clinical trials and research opportunities available. Visit the links listed to learn more about eligibility and protocol descriptions. If you’re interested in participating in a clinical trial, scholarships are available from FARF in order to help offset the cost of transportation and housing. Please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 541-687-4658.
We are proud to partner with the Jason Carter Clinical Trials Program (JCCTP), an organization that helps individuals learn about and potentially participate in clinical trials. Click the logo to view more information about FA clinical trials. Work with a patient navigator to help you understand a trial you may be interested in, and how trials work in general.
The Knight Diagnostic Laboratories at the Oregon Health & Science University specializes in molecular diagnostic testing of tumor tissue that may lead to targeted drug therapy options for patients based on the identification of DNA mutations in cancer samples. The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, led by Dr. Brian Druker, and the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund have collaborated to make next-generation sequencing available to Fanconi Anemia patients who develop a malignancy. This testing is especially suitable for squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, head and neck, esophagus, and cervix. It may also be used to screen for rare mutations in breast carcinoma and gliomas. The Fanconi Anemia Research Fund will pay for the portion of the test fee not covered by the patient’s insurance plan. http://www.knightdxlabs.com
Contact: OHSU Knight Diagnostic Laboratories | 855-535-1522 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Test requisition form: here.
Contact: FARF | 541-687-4658 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
New methods are being developed to detect very early signs of mouth cancer in simple, noninvasive ways. One of these methods involves brushing samples from the mouth with soft brushes and testing these samples for abnormal cells. This research study has three goals: to determine if this test would be helpful for people with FA, to learn more about molecules in the saliva that could indicate the presence of cancer, and to improve research collaborations in FA.
Contact: FARF | 541-687-4658 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This study is actively recruiting and consenting participants with an anticipated start date in late June/early July. Participants must be 12+ years of age and those with diabetes or need for insulin are ineligible for the study. This clinical trial uses tracing experiments to show how efficiently and effectively individuals with FA are able to utilize glucose versus fat and protein for energy. Studies have shown that individuals with FA breakdown fat and muscle at a quick rate, making it difficult for them to maintain weight or build muscle. Studies have also shown that individuals have low levels of Carnitine, known to combat DNA damage. Poorly functioning metabolic systems influence physical appearance, immune function, host defense, and brain energy. Also to be considered are the equally significant impacts on the psychological, social, and emotional wellbeing of individuals with these metabolic challenges. The results obtained from this trial could lead to treatment options that combat BMI issues, including those pertaining to muscle mass, and could positively impact the general psychological and emotional resilience and wellbeing of the FA population.
Contacts: Adeel Malik | 513-636-4379 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Lindsey Romick-Rosendale | 513-517-0256 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a pilot study aiming to assess feasibility, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of oral quercetin (a dietary supplement) therapy in patients with FA and is a first step towards a clinical study of the efficacy of quercetin therapy in delaying progression of bone marrow failure in FA.
Contact: Stephanie Edwards | 513-636-9292 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
In the lab, quercetin, a natural antioxidant, kills tumor cells in FA head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines and also prevents development of SCC tumors in non-FA mice. Based on these strong and promising data this study will look at the beneficial effects of oral quercetin treatment for 2 years, in post-transplant patients with FA. It is hoped that treatment with quercetin will result in decreased oxidative stress and ongoing DNA damage of the mucosa, leading to the prevention of, or at least delay the development of squamous cell carcinoma.
Contact: Stephanie Edwards | 513-636-9292 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a study to provide information regarding cancer rates and types in inherited bone marrow failure syndromes (IBMFS), including Fanconi anemia. It is a natural history study, with questionnaires, clinical evaluations, clinical and research laboratory tests, review of medical records, and cancer surveillance.
Contact: Blanche P. Alter | 240-276-7239 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
We previously determined that published cases with two mutated FANCD1/BRCA2 genes appeared to have a very high risk of cancer before age 6. We are now aware of individuals with these mutations who are much older and have not had cancer. In order to determine the natural history of patients with FA associated with mutations in FANCD1/BRCA2, we have created a subgroup within the National Cancer Institute study of Cancer in Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes (above).
Contact IBMFS Study Team | 1-800-518-8474, or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
IFAR is a research study that began at Rockefeller University in New York City in 1982. The purpose of the IFAR is to study the nature, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals with FA. Information collected in this study will help researchers better understand FA and be able to better diagnose and treat the condition. We enroll patients at any stage of the disease but many recent studies are focusing on understanding cancer development in FA patients. Please contact us if you have been diagnosed with cancer or pre-cancer lesions.
Contact: Agata Smogorzewska | 212-327-8612 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
There have been preclinical studies from OHSU suggesting that metformin may improve blood counts in an FA animal model. This clinical trial is being conducted to determine if metformin improves blood counts in people with FA. The study also looks at the effects of metformin on DNA damage and aldehydes. You may be eligible for this study if you have FA and low blood counts, are between the ages of 6-35 years, and have not had a bone marrow transplant. As a participant in this study, you will be provided with metformin for 6 months and your blood counts, other laboratory tests, and clinical symptoms will be monitored while you are in the study. There are 2 required visits to Boston Children’s Hospital and compensation for reasonable travel expenses is provided.
Contact: Dr. Elissa Furutani | 617-632-1978 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Objective: To find out if a new drug, eltrombopag, is effective in people with Fanconi anemia and to know how long the drug needs to be given to improve blood counts. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03206086
Contact: Evette N Barranta | 301-827-4421 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a hematopoietic gene therapy procedure with an orphan drug consisting of a lentiviral vector carrying the FANCA gene for patients with Fanconi anemia of subtype A.
Contact: Julian Sevilla | +34 915035938 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
The objective of this study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of hematopoietic cell-based gene therapy for patients with Fanconi anemia, subtype A (FA-A). Hematopoietic stem cells from mobilized peripheral blood of patients with FA-A will be transduced ex vivo (outside the body) with a lentiviral vector carrying the FANCA gene. After transduction, the corrected stem cells will be infused intravenously back to the patient with the goal of preventing bone marrow failure.
Contact: Elisabeth Merkel | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
This is a research study of a checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) inhibitor as a possible treatment for advanced solid tumors that harbor genetic alterations in the homologous repair (HR) pathway or with genetic alterations that indicate replication stress.
Contact: Geoffrey Shapiro | 617-632-4942 | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
It is critical to understand the difference between medical treatments and clinical trials. A medical treatment is a regimen specific to an individual patient and his/her condition, administered by doctors. A trial tests a potential drug, procedure, or medical device in people. Participants in trials play an integral role in determining the safety and efficacy of drugs or procedures. It is important to remember that clinical trials are meant for research, not to administer proven medical care.
Even though a medication may be approved for one condition or disease, it must be tested in the new population it is meant to help. It’s vital to conduct research in many people, because people may respond differently to the same treatment. Self-treatment with medications that have not been approved for a specific population/condition can be harmful to the individual; it may also hinder knowledge of the appropriate therapeutic use and benefit(s) of the medication. Always consult your physician before taking any action regarding medications or treatments.