Phase II Randomized Trial:Arginine Butyrate Plus Standard Local Therapy in Patients With Refractory Sickle Cell Ulcers

Inclusion Criteria

• •PROTOCOL CRITERIA
• •INCLUSION:
• •-Disease Characteristics-- Significant sickle cell syndrome including Hemoglobin SS (HbSS), Hemoglobin S-beta thalassemia, and hemoglobin variants. Lower extremity or ankle ulcer (or ulcers) present for at least 6 months without healing --Patient Characteristics-- Age: 16-60 yrs Performance status: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: No hepatic compromise Transaminases no greater than 250 IU Renal: No renal compromise Creatinine no greater than 1.2 mg/mL (adults) Creatinine no greater than 0.9 mg/mL (teenagers) Other: Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception No poorly controlled seizure disorders No other secondary conditions that might inhibit immune function
• •Prior/Concurrent Therapy Other: Must be treated with antibiotics prior to entry for complicating cellulitis or secondary infections
• •EXCLUSION :
• •-Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- Biologic therapy: chronic transfusion therapy Chemotherapy: prior or concurrent cancer chemotherapy concurrent butyrate derivatives Endocrine therapy: concurrent corticosteroid therapy Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified --Patient Characteristics-- Hepatic: hepatic compromise Transaminases greater than 250 IU Renal: renal compromise Creatinine greater than 1.2 mg/mL (adults) Creatinine greater than 0.9 mg/mL (teenagers) Other: pregnant; Fertile patients with no effective contraception Poorly controlled seizure disorders other secondary conditions that might inhibit immune function