Treatment of Polycythemia Vera With Gleevec

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of patients with Polycythemia Vera treated with Gleevec.

Detailed Description
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Phlebotomy is a standard temporizing treatment for Polycythemia Vera. Performing repeated phlebotomies may lead to iron deficiency and can contribute to a rising platelet count. This may create additional problems, such as clots particularly in patients older than 50. There is reason to believe that the use of Gleevec may cause a decrease in the activity of the marrow so that patients may not require as many or any phlebotomies. Thus, spleen function may possibly improve by decreasing in size and patients' platelet counts may also improve.

Official Title
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A Phase II Trial of the Treatment of Polycythemia Vera With Gleevec

Conditions
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Polycythemia Vera

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Gleevec


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients have diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera (PV). Patients may have newly diagnosed PV. Patients may have previously interferon-alfa treated PV with documented resistance, refractoriness or intolerance to interferon-alfa. Patients may have PV with inadequate control on hydroxyurea. Performance status of 0, 1, or 2 Adequate end organ function, defined as the following: total bilirubin <1.5 x upper limit of the normal range (ULN) SGOT (AST) and SGPT (ALT) < 2.5 x ULN creatinine < 1.5 x ULN ANC > 1.5 x 109/L Written voluntary informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Female patients who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Patients receiving busulfan within 6 weeks of Study Day 1. Patients receiving interferon-alpha within 4 weeks of Study Day 1. Patients receiving hydroxyurea within 2 weeks of Study Day 1. Patients with Grade III or IV cardiac problems as defined by the New York Heart Association Criteria. Patients with a history of non-compliance to medical regimens or who are considered potentially unreliable. Patients previously treated with Gleevec. Serum erythropoietin level > or = 25 units/microliter Abnormal O2 saturation (by pulse oximetry) or arterial pO2 (by arterial blood gas).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Study drug<br>Gleevec treatment | Drug: Gleevec<br>* 400 mg once daily for 12 months<br>* Other names: STI-571;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stabilization of hematocrit |  | Weekly for the first six week of treatment, then monthly for one year from study entry. | 
| Platelet count maintenance a therapeutic range. |  | Weekly for the first six weeks of treatment, then monthly for one year from study entry. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Splenomegaly (if existent) |  | Weekly for the first six weeks of treatment, then montly for one year from study entry. | 
| Quality of life, performance status, side effects and complications during treatment. |  | Weekly for the first six weeks of treatment, then montly for one year from study entry. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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PV