Matthew M. Heeney, MD
Associate Chief, Hematology; Director, Sickle Cell Program
Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
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Matthew M. Heeney, MD
Associate Chief, Hematology; Director, Sickle Cell Program
Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School
Medical Services
Languages
English
Education
Undergraduate School
Trinity College, University of Toronto
1992
Toronto
Canada
Medical School
University of Calgary
1995
Calgary
Canada
Residency
Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University
1999
Montreal
Canada
Fellowship
Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Duke University Medical Center
2002
Durham
NC
Certifications
American Board of Pediatrics (Hematology-Oncology)
Professional History
Matthew Heeney, MD, is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology. He is the Associate Chief for Hematology in the Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Director of the Sickle Cell Program in Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Dr. Heeney’s research interests are focused on sickle cell disease and congenital disorders of iron metabolism. The goals of Dr. Heeney's research include improving the understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of sickle cell anemia through clinical investigation and elucidating the genetic basis of iron homeostasis and its role in human disease.
Dr. Heeney has been the Boston Children's Hospital Site Investigator for several clinical trial consortia including the former Sickle Cell Disease Research Network (SCDCRN) and Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center (CSCC). He is also the Site Investigator for the multicenter SWiTCH and TWiTCH trials, which are exploring the use of Hydroxyurea as an alternative to chronic transfusion for stroke prevention in sickle cell disease. He is also involved in early phase trials of prasugrel and regadenoson in sickle cell disease. Dr. Heeney also conducts translational research in inherited disorders of iron homeostasis in humans. In particular, he is interested in investigating the genetic basis inherited disorders of iron deficiency, sideroblastic anemia, and iron overload.
Dr. Heeney is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and is committed to medical education as the Co-Director of the Hematology course for second year HMS students. He is a frequent lecturer on hematology topics in HMS-sponsored continuing medical education and BCH training programs.
Dr. Heeney received his MD at the University of Calgary, Alberta; completed his pediatrics residency at Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University; and completed a pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship at Duke University.
Publications
Screen of the ReFRAME Compound Library for Therapeutic Agents to Prevent Red Blood Cell Sickling Using an Improved High Throughput Sickling Assay. View Abstract
X-linked sideroblastic anemia in females. View Abstract
Correlation of Genetic Mutation With Outcomes in Children With Hereditary Spherocytosis Undergoing Partial Splenectomy: A Multicentre Study. View Abstract
Sustained increase in annual transcranial Doppler screening rates in children with sickle cell disease: A quality improvement project. View Abstract
The Risk of Kidney Injury in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Treated With Ketorolac for Acute Pain. View Abstract
Increasing COVID-19 Vaccination Rates for Children With Sickle Cell Disease. View Abstract
Ketamine use for management of vaso-occlusive pain in pediatric sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Patient Controlled Analgesia for Vaso-Occlusive Episodes in Children: A Retrospective Study. View Abstract
Sickle Cell Disease and Gene Therapy - Patient and Physician Perspectives. View Abstract
Ticagrelor vs placebo for the reduction of vaso-occlusive crises in pediatric sickle cell disease: the HESTIA3 study. View Abstract
Consensus definition of essential, optimal, and suggested components of a pediatric sickle cell disease center. View Abstract
High-Throughput Assay to Screen Small Molecules for Their Ability to Prevent Sickling of Red Blood Cells. View Abstract
Standardizing Opioid Prescribing in a Pediatric Hospital: A Quality Improvement Effort. View Abstract
Belzutifan, a Potent HIF2a Inhibitor, in the Pacak-Zhuang Syndrome. View Abstract
Prevalence and Predictors of Iron Deficiency in Adolescent and Young Adult Outpatients: Implications for Screening. View Abstract
SLC25A38 congenital sideroblastic anemia: Phenotypes and genotypes of 31 individuals from 24 families, including 11 novel mutations, and a review of the literature. View Abstract
A systematic review of ketamine for the management of vaso-occlusive pain in sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Post-Transcriptional Genetic Silencing of BCL11A to Treat Sickle Cell Disease. View Abstract
Hydroxyurea Optimization through Precision Study (HOPS): study protocol for a randomized, multicenter trial in children with sickle cell anemia. View Abstract
Mutations in the iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis protein HSCB cause congenital sideroblastic anemia. View Abstract
Biochemical and therapeutic effects of Omega-3 fatty acids in sickle cell disease. View Abstract
An emerging role for endothelial barrier support therapy for congenital disorders of glycosylation. View Abstract
Geographic Differences in Phenotype and Treatment of Children with Sickle Cell Anemia from the Multinational DOVE Study. View Abstract
Ticagrelor versus placebo for the reduction of vaso-occlusive crises in pediatric sickle cell disease: Rationale and design of a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter phase 3 study (HESTIA3). View Abstract
Clinical and laboratory outcomes following total or partial splenectomy in patients with hereditary spherocytosis. View Abstract
Patient- and Nurse-Controlled Analgesia: 22-Year Experience in a Pediatric Hospital. View Abstract
Successful hematopoietic stem cell mobilization and apheresis collection using plerixafor alone in sickle cell patients. View Abstract
Bronchodilator Use for Acute Chest Syndrome Among Large Pediatric Hospitals in North America. View Abstract
Double-blind, randomized, multicenter phase 2 study of SC411 in children with sickle cell disease (SCOT trial). View Abstract
The phenotypic spectrum of germline YARS2 variants: from isolated sideroblastic anemia to mitochondrial myopathy, lactic acidosis and sideroblastic anemia 2. View Abstract
Recurrent heteroplasmy for the MT-ATP6 p.Ser148Asn (m.8969G>A) mutation in patients with syndromic congenital sideroblastic anemia of variable clinical severity. View Abstract
Normalizing hepcidin predicts TMPRSS6 mutation status in patients with chronic iron deficiency. View Abstract
A Scientific Renaissance: Novel Drugs in Sickle Cell Disease. View Abstract
The effect of iron chelation therapy on overall survival in sickle cell disease and ß-thalassemia: A systematic review. View Abstract
Alu element insertion in PKLR gene as a novel cause of pyruvate kinase deficiency in Middle Eastern patients. View Abstract
Randomized phase 2 trial of regadenoson for treatment of acute vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Successful utilization of an electronic pain diary in a multinational phase 3 interventional study of pediatric sickle cell anemia. View Abstract
Sickle Cell Disease. View Abstract
Neonatal anemia: Revisiting the enigmatic pyknocyte. View Abstract
Real-time dose adjustment using point-of-care platelet reactivity testing in a double-blind study of prasugrel in children with sickle cell anaemia. View Abstract
Ringed sideroblasts in ß-thalassemia. View Abstract
Lineage-specific BCL11A knockdown circumvents toxicities and reverses sickle phenotype. View Abstract
A recurring mutation in the respiratory complex 1 protein NDUFB11 is responsible for a novel form of X-linked sideroblastic anemia. View Abstract
Prasugrel for Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Events. View Abstract
Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Liberia: A Pilot Study. View Abstract
A Multinational Trial of Prasugrel for Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Events. View Abstract
Hydroxycarbamide versus chronic transfusion for maintenance of transcranial doppler flow velocities in children with sickle cell anaemia-TCD With Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (TWiTCH): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, non-inferiority trial. View Abstract
Hematologic outcomes after total splenectomy and partial splenectomy for congenital hemolytic anemia. View Abstract
Congenital sideroblastic anemia due to mutations in the mitochondrial HSP70 homologue HSPA9. View Abstract
Design of the DOVE (Determining Effects of Platelet Inhibition on Vaso-Occlusive Events) trial: A global Phase 3 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of prasugrel in pediatric patients with sickle cell anemia utilizing a dose titration strategy. View Abstract
Liver iron concentration measurements by MRI in chronically transfused children with sickle cell anemia: baseline results from the TWiTCH trial. View Abstract
Therapeutic phlebotomy is safe in children with sickle cell anaemia and can be effective treatment for transfusional iron overload. View Abstract
Prasugrel in children with sickle cell disease: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from an open-label, adaptive-design, dose-ranging study. View Abstract
Clinical outcomes of splenectomy in children: report of the splenectomy in congenital hemolytic anemia registry. View Abstract
Iron clad: iron homeostasis and the diagnosis of hereditary iron overload. View Abstract
Mutations in TRNT1 cause congenital sideroblastic anemia with immunodeficiency, fevers, and developmental delay (SIFD). View Abstract
Iron disorders. View Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging/angiography and transcranial Doppler velocities in sickle cell anemia: results from the SWiTCH trial. View Abstract
Iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA). View Abstract
X-linked sideroblastic anemia due to ALAS2 intron 1 enhancer element GATA-binding site mutations. View Abstract
Systemic corticosteroids in acute chest syndrome: friend or foe? View Abstract
Pain and other non-neurological adverse events in children with sickle cell anemia and previous stroke who received hydroxyurea and phlebotomy or chronic transfusions and chelation: results from the SWiTCH clinical trial. View Abstract
Bacteremia risk and outpatient management of febrile patients with sickle cell disease. View Abstract
A novel syndrome of congenital sideroblastic anemia, B-cell immunodeficiency, periodic fevers, and developmental delay (SIFD). View Abstract
Platelet activation and inhibition in sickle cell disease (pains) study. View Abstract
Weight status of children with sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Hydroxyurea for the treatment of sickle cell disease: efficacy, barriers, toxicity, and management in children. View Abstract
Stroke With Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (SWiTCH). View Abstract
Effects of chronic transfusions on abdominal sonographic abnormalities in children with sickle cell anemia. View Abstract
Loss-of-function and gain-of-function phenotypes of stomatocytosis mutant RhAG F65S. View Abstract
Thirty-day readmission rates following hospitalization for pediatric sickle cell crisis at freestanding children's hospitals: risk factors and hospital variation. View Abstract
Transition from pediatric to adult care for sickle cell disease: results of a survey of pediatric providers. View Abstract
Long-term safety and efficacy of deferasirox (Exjade) for up to 5 years in transfusional iron-overloaded patients with sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Rudolph’s Pediatrics View Abstract
Rudolph’s Pediatrics (Rudolph AM, Rudolph C, First L, Lister G, Gershon AA. Editors) View Abstract
Common variants at 10 genomic loci influence hemoglobin A1(C) levels via glycemic and nonglycemic pathways. View Abstract
Encephalopathy from lead poisoning masquerading as a flu-like syndrome in an autistic child. View Abstract
High-throughput matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry method for quantification of hepcidin in human urine. View Abstract
Hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Resolution of cerebral artery stenosis in a child with sickle cell anemia treated with hydroxyurea. View Abstract
Definitions of the phenotypic manifestations of sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Corticosteroids for acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell disease: variation in use and association with length of stay and readmission. View Abstract
Pial synangiosis in patients with moyamoya syndrome and sickle cell anemia: perioperative management and surgical outcome. View Abstract
Clinical practice guideline improves the treatment of sickle cell disease vasoocclusive pain. View Abstract
Disorders of Hemoglobin: Genetics, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management (Steinberg MH, Forget BG, Higgs DR, Weatherall DJ. Editors) View Abstract
Cefepime-induced neutropenia in a teenager. View Abstract
Mutations in TMPRSS6 cause iron-refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA). View Abstract
Hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell disease. View Abstract
Chronic transfusion practice for children with sickle cell anaemia and stroke. View Abstract
Nathan and Oski’s Hematology of Infancy and Childhood (Nathan DG, Orkin SH, Ginsburg D, Look AT. Editors) View Abstract
Preventing stroke among children with sickle cell anemia: an analysis of strategies that involve transcranial Doppler testing and chronic transfusion. View Abstract
Sickle cell disease caused by Hb S/Québec-CHORI: treatment with hydroxyurea and response. View Abstract
Hemoglobin SE disease: a concise review. View Abstract
Acquired immune cytopenias post-cardiac transplantation respond to rituximab. View Abstract
Management of Sickle Cell Disease, View Abstract
Hematologic Disorders View Abstract
Hemoglobinopathies mimicking Hb S/beta-thalassemia: Hb S/S with alpha-thalassemia and Hb S/Volga. View Abstract
Risk of cholelithiasis in sickle cell anemia. View Abstract
Iron homeostasis and inherited iron overload disorders: an overview. View Abstract
Chemical and functional analysis of hydroxyurea oral solutions. View Abstract
Childhood autoimmune cytopenia secondary to unsuspected common variable immunodeficiency. View Abstract
UGT1A promoter polymorphisms influence bilirubin response to hydroxyurea therapy in sickle cell anemia. View Abstract
Increased expression of anti-apoptosis genes in peripheral blood cells from patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. View Abstract
Diagnostic Approach to Sickle Hemoglobinopathies View Abstract
Newborn Screening for Hemoglobinopathies View Abstract
A multi-step model for the pathogenesis and evolution of PNH View Abstract
Interpretation of fetal hemoglobin only on newborn screening for hemoglobinopathy. View Abstract
Distinct stage-specific cis-active transcriptional mechanisms control expression of T cell coreceptor CD8 alpha at double- and single-positive stages of thymic development. View Abstract
A 150-base pair 5' region of the MHC class I HLA-B7 gene is sufficient to direct tissue-specific expression and locus control region activity: the alpha site determines efficient expression and in vivo occupancy at multiple cis-active sites throughout this region. View Abstract