Efficacy of Vorinostat to Induce Fetal Hemoglobin in Sickle Cell Disease

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of sickle cell disease * Clinically significant disease defined as at least 1 painful episode per year averaged over the previous 3 years or a history of priapism, stroke, acute chest syndrome, avascular necrosis, multi-organ failure or the need for chronic narcotic medications for pain from sickle cell disease * Must have failed a previous attempt at treatment with hydroxyurea defined as the inability to achieve a significant absolute increase in % fetal hemoglobin or the inability to tolerate hydroxyurea treatment due to severe side effects such as but not limited to myelosuppression, gastrointestinal symptoms, edema or hepatic enzyme elevations or have contraindications to hydroxyurea * 18 years of age or older * Hematologic laboratory values as outlined in the protocol * Non-hematologic laboratory values as outlined in the protocol * Must agree not to donate blood or other bodily fluid while taking the study drug and for 28 days thereafter * Women of child-bearing potential (WCBP) must have a negative serum pregnancy test 72 hours or less prior to starting treatment * Women of child-bearing potential and men must agree to use 2 forms of adequate contraception prior to study entry and for the duration of study participation Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects with hemoglobin SC or SB+ thalassemia * Subjects on chronic transfusion program * Subjects who have received RBC transfusions cannot have \>15% adult hemoglobin * Known positive status fo…