Trial Outcomes & Findings for Topical Sodium Nitrite in Sickle Cell Disease and Leg Ulcers (NCT NCT02863068)

NCT ID: NCT02863068

Last Updated: 2025-05-07

Results Overview

Assessment of tolerability was determined by evaluating the change in methemoglobin level from baseline through the end of study at week 10. Samples were collected and Methemoglobin levels were measured by co-oximetry Results are summarized by study arm using basic descriptive statistics and expressed as a percentage of the total hemoglobin in the sample.

Recruitment status

TERMINATED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

18 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline through last available measurement, up to 10 weeks

Results posted on

2025-05-07

Participant Flow

26 patients (pts) were screened and 24 consented (one was consented twice as the IRB required a reconsent due to the time interval which had lapsed between the consent process and study initiation during COVID). Of the 24 unique pts, 2 were lost to follow up during the run-in period and 4 pts had a reduction in ulcer size by \>25%, via normal wound care, during the run-in period and were not eligible for study-defined treatment and not enrolled into the study. As such, 18 pts were enrolled.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Placebo
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Overall Study
STARTED
10
8
Overall Study
COMPLETED
10
8
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Topical Sodium Nitrite in Sickle Cell Disease and Leg Ulcers

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 Participants
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Total
n=18 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
40.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.0 • n=93 Participants
47.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.8 • n=4 Participants
43.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.5 • n=27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
7 Participants
n=93 Participants
5 Participants
n=4 Participants
12 Participants
n=27 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
3 Participants
n=93 Participants
3 Participants
n=4 Participants
6 Participants
n=27 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants
n=93 Participants
1 Participants
n=4 Participants
3 Participants
n=27 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
8 Participants
n=93 Participants
7 Participants
n=4 Participants
15 Participants
n=27 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
1 Participants
n=4 Participants
1 Participants
n=27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
10 Participants
n=93 Participants
7 Participants
n=4 Participants
17 Participants
n=27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
10 participants
n=93 Participants
8 participants
n=4 Participants
18 participants
n=27 Participants
Total Ulcerated Surface Area
11.4 cm^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.3 • n=93 Participants
16.6 cm^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.4 • n=4 Participants
13.7 cm^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.6 • n=27 Participants
Sickle Cell Genotype
HbSS
10 Participants
n=93 Participants
7 Participants
n=4 Participants
17 Participants
n=27 Participants
Sickle Cell Genotype
HbSB+
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
1 Participants
n=4 Participants
1 Participants
n=27 Participants
Sickle Cell Genotype
HbSC
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Sickle Cell Genotype
HbSD
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Sickle Cell Genotype
HbS/O (Arab)
0 Participants
n=93 Participants
0 Participants
n=4 Participants
0 Participants
n=27 Participants
Hydroxyurea Usage
No
4 Participants
n=93 Participants
5 Participants
n=4 Participants
9 Participants
n=27 Participants
Hydroxyurea Usage
Yes
6 Participants
n=93 Participants
3 Participants
n=4 Participants
9 Participants
n=27 Participants
Methemoglobin Levels
1.76 percentage of total hemoglobin
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.635 • n=93 Participants
1.49 percentage of total hemoglobin
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.698 • n=4 Participants
1.64 percentage of total hemoglobin
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.658 • n=27 Participants
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain Intensity
5.3 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.49 • n=93 Participants
4.28 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.62 • n=4 Participants
4.84 score on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.15 • n=27 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline through last available measurement, up to 10 weeks

Population: For this study, the fundamental analysis unit was the participant and not the ulcer(s). All data is presented accordingly.

Assessment of tolerability was determined by evaluating the change in methemoglobin level from baseline through the end of study at week 10. Samples were collected and Methemoglobin levels were measured by co-oximetry Results are summarized by study arm using basic descriptive statistics and expressed as a percentage of the total hemoglobin in the sample.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 Participants
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Assessment of Tolerability (Methemoglobin Level)
-0.05 percentage of total hemoglobin
Interval -0.6 to 0.4
0.25 percentage of total hemoglobin
Interval -0.3 to 0.4

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: From Baseline through last study visit at 10 weeks

Population: For this study, the fundamental analysis unit was the participant and not the ulcer(s). All data is presented accordingly.

Change in total ulcerated surface area from baseline was assessed through the last study visit at 10 weeks. Surface area measurements of the ulcer were obtained and photographed with defined lighting, distance, exposure, and camera type. Total ulcerated surface area measurements were obtained using digital planimetry and measuring the longest length and widest width of the ulcer(s). Results are summarized by study arm using basic descriptive statistics and reported in cm\^2. Negative results are indicative of a reduction in group median total ulcerated surface area from baseline and positive results are indicative of an increase in group median total ulcerated surface area from baseline.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 Participants
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Change in Total Ulcerated Surface Area
-1.50 cm^2
Interval -3.9 to -0.068
-3.26 cm^2
Interval -12.0 to 0.987

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: From Baseline through last study visit at 10 weeks

Population: For this study, the fundamental analysis unit was the participant and not the ulcer(s). All data is presented accordingly.

Change in Ulcer Pain from baseline through the last study visit at 10 weeks were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is a widely used tool to quantify subjective pain perception over time and in this study was used to determine the efficacy of the topical sodium nitrite. Participants were asked to mark a point on a line indicating the severity of their pain on a 0-10 scale, with "0" representing "No pain" and "10" representing the "Worst possible pain." A decrease in VAS score is indicative of a reduction in ulcer pain. Scores were summarized by study arm using basic descriptive statistics.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 Participants
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Change in Ulcer Pain
-0.5 score on a scale
Interval -2.7 to 1.2
0.9 score on a scale
Interval -3.8 to 2.6

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: From Baseline through last study visit at 10 weeks

Population: For this study, the fundamental analysis unit was the participant and not the ulcer(s). All data is presented accordingly.

The number of participants who achieved an objective reduction in total surface area of the ulcer of \>= 25% from baseline is summarized and reported as a dichotomous ("No" or "Yes") variable.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 Participants
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Number of Participants With Total Ulcerated Surface Area Reduction
No
5 Participants
4 Participants
Number of Participants With Total Ulcerated Surface Area Reduction
Yes
5 Participants
4 Participants

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: From Baseline through last study visit at 10 weeks

Population: Number of participants analyzed identified in table below. For this study, the fundamental analysis unit was the participant and not the ulcer(s). All data is presented accordingly.

Hydroxyurea effect on Assessment of Tolerability, as determined by the change in Methemoglobin level, was conducted to evaluate the effect of hydroxyurea in combination with the topical sodium nitrite or placebo. Samples were collected and Methemoglobin levels were measured by co-oximetry. Study outcomes between participants with use of ("HU") and non-use of ("No HU") hydroxyurea are summarized as an increased or decreased percentage by study arm and analyzed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney statistical testing.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 Participants
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Hydroxyurea Effect on Assessment of Tolerability
HU
-0.6 percentage of total hemoglobin
Interval -0.7 to -0.4
0.2 percentage of total hemoglobin
Interval 0.0 to 0.3
Hydroxyurea Effect on Assessment of Tolerability
No HU
0.3 percentage of total hemoglobin
Interval 0.0 to 0.5
0.3 percentage of total hemoglobin
Interval -0.6 to 0.5

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: From Baseline through last study visit at 10 weeks

Population: Number of participants analyzed identified in table below. For this study, the fundamental analysis unit was the participant and not the ulcer(s). All data is presented accordingly.

Hydroxyurea effect on Change in Total Ulcerated Surface Area was conducted to evaluate the effect of hydroxyurea in combination with the topical sodium nitrite or placebo. Surface area measurements of the ulcer were obtained and photographed with defined lighting, distance, exposure, and camera type. Total ulcerated surface area measurements were obtained using digital planimetry and measuring the longest length and widest width of the ulcer(s). Study outcomes between participants with use of ("HU") and non-use of ("No HU") hydroxyurea are summarized by study arm as an increase or decrease in total ulcerated surface area in cm\^2 and analyzed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Fisher Exact statistical testing. Negative results are indicative of a reduction in group median total ulcerated surface area from baseline and positive results are indicative of an increase in group median total ulcerated surface area from baseline (with or without Hydroxyurea).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 Participants
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Hydroxyurea Effect on Change in Total Ulcerated Surface Area
HU
-1.34 cm^2
Interval -1.592 to -0.068
-3.506 cm^2
Interval -6.97 to -3.013
Hydroxyurea Effect on Change in Total Ulcerated Surface Area
No HU
-2.081 cm^2
Interval -3.897 to -1.412
-0.57 cm^2
Interval -17.04 to 2.031

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: From Baseline through last study visit at 10 weeks

Population: Number of participants analyzed identified in table below. For this study, the fundamental analysis unit was the participant and not the ulcer(s). All data is presented accordingly.

Hydroxyurea effect on change in Ulcer Pain was conducted to evaluate the effect of hydroxyurea in combination with the topical sodium nitrite or placebo. Ulcer pain assessments were conducted using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The VAS is used to quantify subjective pain perception over time and in this study was used to determine the efficacy of the topical sodium nitrite. Participants were asked to mark a point on a line indicating the severity of their pain on a 0-10 scale, with "0" representing "No pain" and "10" representing the "Worst possible pain." Study outcomes between participants with use of ("HU") and non-use of ("No HU") hydroxyurea are summarized by study arm as an increase or decrease in ulcer pain and analyzed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney statistical testing. Negative results are indicative of a decrease in group median ulcer pain from baseline and positive results are indicative of an increase in group median ulcer pain from baseline (with or without Hydroxyurea).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 Participants
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
Hydroxyurea Effect on Change in Ulcer Pain
HU
0.35 score on a scale
Interval -1.25 to 2.1
0.9 score on a scale
Interval -5.0 to 2.4
Hydroxyurea Effect on Change in Ulcer Pain
No HU
-2.70 score on a scale
Interval -4.0 to 0.0
1.0 score on a scale
Interval -2.2 to 4.1

Adverse Events

Placebo

Serious events: 4 serious events
Other events: 9 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Topical Sodium Nitrite

Serious events: 3 serious events
Other events: 4 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Placebo
n=10 participants at risk
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 participants at risk
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
General disorders
Vaso-occlusive Crisis
30.0%
3/10 • Number of events 4 • Up to 10 weeks
25.0%
2/8 • Number of events 7 • Up to 10 weeks
Infections and infestations
Ulcer Infection
0.00%
0/10 • Up to 10 weeks
12.5%
1/8 • Number of events 1 • Up to 10 weeks
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
10.0%
1/10 • Number of events 1 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Placebo
n=10 participants at risk
Participants will receive placebo and standard of care Placebo: Participants will have Placebo applied to total ulcerated area. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with placebo in this intervention.
Topical Sodium Nitrite
n=8 participants at risk
Participants will receive 2% topical sodium nitrite cream and standard of care Topical Sodium Nitrite: Participants will have 0.1 cm of 2% sodium nitrite cream applied per 1 cm\^2 of the total ulcerated area. Areas will be rounded to the nearest 1 cm\^2. If a participant has more than one ulcer, all of them will be treated with either "study cream" in this intervention.
General disorders
Vaso-occlusive Crisis
0.00%
0/10 • Up to 10 weeks
37.5%
3/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Nervous system disorders
Headache
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
12.5%
1/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Diarrhea
0.00%
0/10 • Up to 10 weeks
12.5%
1/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Chest Wall Pain
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Infections and infestations
Upper Respiratory Infection
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Hyperkalemia
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Infections and infestations
Ulcer Infection
20.0%
2/10 • Up to 10 weeks
12.5%
1/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Cough
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Back Pain
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Abnormal Blood Smear
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Investigations
Critical Low Lab Value
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Cardiac disorders
Palpitations
10.0%
1/10 • Up to 10 weeks
0.00%
0/8 • Up to 10 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Abdominal Pain
0.00%
0/10 • Up to 10 weeks
12.5%
1/8 • Up to 10 weeks
General disorders
Body Ache
0.00%
0/10 • Up to 10 weeks
12.5%
1/8 • Up to 10 weeks

Additional Information

Dr. Caterina Minniti

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Phone: 240-498-8684

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place