Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Long-Term, Open-Label, Multicenter, Extension Study of Bosentan in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Sickle Cell Disease Completing a Double-Blind ASSET Study (AC-052-368 or AC 052-369)
Brief Summary: This study will assess the safety and efficacy of bosentan therapy (in a study known as ASSET) for patients who have high blood pressure in the lungs associated with sickle cell disease. That form of hypertension places people at risk for complications, including shortness of breath, pain, pneumonia, and death. Previous studies have shown that bosentan can be helpful in reducing pulmonary hypertension.

Patients ages 16 and older who have completed the 16-week treatment in the ASSET 1 or ASSET 2 study and who are not pregnant or breastfeeding may be eligible for this study. The research will be conducted in about 25 hospitals in the United States and Europe. Up to 30 participants will be enrolled. The screening visit will involve a physical examination, blood sample of about 3 teaspoons for laboratory tests, and a pregnancy test. Patients' doctors will give them bosentan tablets (62.5 mg each), to take one in the morning and one in the evening. After 1 month, patients will be told whether the dose should be increased to 125 mg tablets to take twice a day. Two weeks after the increase in dose, a blood test will be done to analyze the drug's effects on the liver. After the start of treatment, patients will return for visits every 6 months, when there will be a 6-minute walking test to measure exercise capacity and evaluate shortness of breath. There will be follow-up for patients up to the end of the study and for 28 days after the last dose of bosentan is taken, to collect information about side effects.

Some patients on bosentan have had changes in liver function and red blood cell count. Side effects commonly reported are headache, flushed appearance, inflammation of the throat and nasal passages, and gastrointestinal symptoms. If patients have sudden worsening in breathing in the first few weeks after taking bosentan, they should immediately tell their doctors, because it may be necessary to change the treatment.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinically stable, pulmonary arterial hypertension diagnosed as either idiopathic or familial PAH, collagen vascular disease associated PAH, HIV PAH, or PAH induced by anorexigens, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III or Class IV.
* Been on a stable dose of 125 mg twice daily (bid) of bosentan OR any stable dose of sildenafil for at least three months prior to study start
* An unencouraged six minute walk test (6MWT) of between 200 and 450 meters at screening
* Cardiac catheterization within the past 13 months consistent with PAH, specifically mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAPm) ≥25 mmHg (at rest), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) (or left ventricular end diastolic pressure) ≤15 mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) \>3 mmHg/L/min
* Within the past 12 months, patients must have had a chest radiograph consistent with the diagnosis of PAH
* Willing and able to follow all study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Considering pregnancy, are pregnant and/or lactating
* PAH due to conditions other than noted in the above inclusion criteria.
* Have had any change in or discontinued any PAH medication within the last three months, including but not limited to endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA), or calcium channel blockers (CCB) (with the exception of anticoagulants)
* Have received any prostanoid within the 30 days before screening or are scheduled to receive any during the course of the study
* Have received any investigational medication within 30 days prior to the start of this study or are scheduled to receive another investigational drug during the course of this study
* Have a known intolerance to any drug, especially to treprostinil sodium or prostanoids
* Have an increased risk of hemorrhage
* Have a new type of chronic therapy (e.g., a different category of vasodilator, diuretic) for PAH added within the last month, except anticoagulants
* Have any musculoskeletal disease or any other disease that would limit ambulation.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects should have limited scleroderma with disease duration \<7 years and should satisfy American College of Rheumatology criteria for diagnosis.9;
* 10 Raynaud's phenomenon would be defined as episodic, bilateral, digital color changes (at least 2 out of 3 possible phases:

  * pallor, cyanosis, rubor),
  * provoked by cold or emotional stress.
* Subjects should be between 18 and 70 years of age and be able to give informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* (a) current tobacco users,
* (b) advanced cardiopulmonary disease,
* (c) clinically unstable patient,
* (d) presence of active digital ulcers or prior history of digital ulcers which led to scarring or significant pitting of digits in the area of interest(presence of ulcers or pits would interfere with measurement of blood flow by LDPI),
* (e) pregnancy (class X in pregnancy) or unable to use two reliable forms of contraception during the study if patient is of child bearing age,
* (f) patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment
* (g) hemoglobin values less than 10% of the lower limit of normal per laboratory standards
* (h) inability to discontinue vasodilator treatment including calcium channel blockers, nitrates, alpha blockers, PDE-5 inhibitors, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers at least one week prior to the study,
* (i) echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension \[estimated right ventricular systolic pressure \<35 mm Hg\],
* (j) based on section 7.3 of the full prescribing information booklet- patients on cyclosporine, rifampin or ritonavir should be excluded,
* (k) patients with diffuse disease,
* (l) disease duration \> 7 years
C: * INCLUSION CRITERIA
* Completion of the 16-week treatment period in the double-blind ASSET study
* Women of childbearing potential must have a negative result on their serum pregnancy test and use reliable methods of contraception during study treatment and for 3 months after study treatment termination.

Reliable methods of contraception are:

1. Barrier type devices (e.g., female condom, diaphragm, contraceptive sponge) only in combination with a spermicide.
2. Intra-uterine devices.
3. Oral, injectable, transdermal or implantable contraceptives only in combination with a barrier method.

Hormone-based contraceptives alone, regardless of the route of administration, are not considered to be reliable methods of contraception.

Abstention, rhythm method, and contraception by the partner alone are not acceptable methods of contraception.

Women not of childbearing potential are defined as prepubescent, postmenopausal (i.e., amenorrhea for at least 1 year), or surgically or naturally sterile.

Signed written informed consent is obtained from the patient or patient's parent/ legal representative prior to initiation of any study-related procedure.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

All patients (Groups A and B):

1. Any major protocol violation in the preceding double-blind ASSET study\*.
2. Hemoglobin concentration less than 6.0 g/dL.
3. Pregnancy or breast-feeding.

   \* Protocol violations will be reviewed by the monitor during site visits and discussed with the study staff on an ongoing basis and at the patient's completion of the double-blind study.

   Group B only:
4. Acute liver disease.
5. Newly diagnosed cirrhosis or portal hypertension.
6. ALT greater than or equal to 3 times ULN and/or albumin greater than 20% below LLN.
7. Newly diagnosed psychotic, addictive or other disorder limiting the ability to provide informed consent or to comply with study requirements.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* At least 12 years of age.
* Body weight at least 40 kg (approximately 88 pounds).
* Pulmonary hypertension (PAH) that is either idiopathic; related to collagen vascular disease; related to anorexigen use; associated with an atrial septal defect (resting SaO2 greater than or equal to 88%); with surgical repair, of at least 1 year duration, of a congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunt.
* If on bosentan, must be at the maximal dose of 125 mg twice daily for a minimum of 12 weeks prior to screening and have an AST/ALT less than 3 times normal.
* History of PAH established by a resting mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than or equal to 25 mm Hg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure less than or equal to 15 mm Hg, and pulmonary vascular resistance greater than or equal to 3 Wood units via right heart catheterization
* Have World Health Organization functional class I, II, III or IV status.
* Have a qualifying 6-minute walk test distance at screening
* Have no evidence of significant parenchymal lung disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Are nursing or pregnant.
* PAH due to conditions other than noted in the above inclusion criteria.
* History of left-sided heart disease.
* History of atrial septostomy within 3 months before study entry
* History of angina pectoris or other condition that was treated with long-or short-acting nitrates within 12 weeks before administration of study drug.
* History of symptomatic coronary disease.
* Have any therapy with a prostacyclin or analogue, L-arginine, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, or investigational drug within 4 weeks before administration of study drug.

Answer: C