Sickle Cell Disease

156

Review clinical trials related to Sickle Cell Disease. Use filters to narrow results by trial status, phase, treatment, biological sex and sponsor.

Condition / disease
Location
Status: Recruiting

A Phase I/II Study of ITU512 in Healthy Participants and Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and preliminary food effect of ITU512 as well as the fetal hemoglobin (HbF)-inducing capacity of ITU512. This will be the first evaluation of the potential therapeutic effect of ITU512 in healthy participants and patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Participants needed: 161
Trial details
Phase: Phase 1, Phase 2Age: 12-55Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Novartis PharmaceuticalsUpdated: Oct 9, 2026Locations: 13
Eligibility criteria

Healthy male participants and female participants of non-childbearing potential... [+2]

QTcF ≥ 450 msec (as a mean value of triplicates) [+6]

Status: Recruiting

Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of Escalating Doses of Fostamatinib in Subjects With Stable Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease that causes the body to produce abnormal ( sickled ) red blood cells. SCD can cause anemia and life-threatening complications in the lungs, heart, kidney, and nerves. People with SCD are also at increased risk of forming blood clots in the veins and lungs, but the standard treatments for these clots can cause increased bleeding in people with SCD. Better treatments are needed. Objective: To test a drug (fostamatinib) in people with SCD. Eligibility: People aged 18 to 65 with SCD. Design: Participants will have 6 clinic visits over 12 weeks. Each visit will be 2 to 3 hours. Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood tests. They will tell the researchers about the medications they take. Fostamatinib is a tablet taken by mouth. Participants will take the drug at home, twice a day, for up to 6 weeks. Participants will have a clinic visit every 2 weeks while they are taking the drug. At each visit they will have a physical exam with blood tests. They will talk about any side effects the drug may be causing. If they are tolerating the drug well after the first 2 weeks, they may begin taking a higher dose. Participants will have a final visit 4 weeks after they stop taking the drug. They will have a physical exam and blood tests; they will be checked for any side effects of the drug.

Participants needed: 35
Trial details
Phase: Phase 1Age: 18-65Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)Updated: Oct 8, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Have provided signed written informed consent prior to performing any study proc... [+11]

Pain crisis requiring parenteral treatment within 14 days of signing consent. [+15]

Status: Recruiting

Peer Support for Adolescents and Emerging Adults With Sickle Cell Pain

The study, known as the Peer suppoRt for adolescents and Emerging adults with Sickle cell pain: promoting ENgagement in Cognitive behavioral thErapy (PRESENCE), aims to determine the effectiveness of digital CBT in reducing pain, opioid use, and healthcare utilization among AYAs with SCD. It also seeks to understand the role of personalized peer support in enhancing engagement and outcomes of digital CBT interventions. By leveraging existing infrastructure for delivering virtual peer support interventions, tailored digital CBT programs for individuals with SCD, and partnerships with CBOs, the study aims to provide valuable insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of digital CBT as a pain management strategy for this vulnerable population.

Participants needed: 390
Trial details
Age: 16-39Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: University of PittsburghUpdated: Oct 8, 2026Locations: 14
Eligibility criteria

Aged 16 to 39 years of age at time of enrollment [+3]

Unable to speak or read English [+2]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Inflammatory Markers and Pain in Sickle Cell Disease

This observational cross-sectional study aims to assess the relationship between inflammatory markers and pain intensity in adult patients with sickle cell disease. The study will evaluate inflammatory markers in patients with different clinical presentations, including steady state and vaso-occlusive crisis.

Participants needed: 75
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Assiut UniversityUpdated: Oct 8, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Adults aged ≥18 years. Confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease. Patients atte...

Patients younger than 18 years. Acute infection or sepsis Autoimmune or chronic...

Status: Recruiting

Collection of Human Biospecimens for Basic and Clinical Research Into Globin Variants

Background: Blood disorders like sickle cell disease and malaria affect many people around the world. Researchers want to learn more about blood disorders. To do this, they need to collect biological samples from people with blood disorders. They also need to collect samples from healthy people. Objective: To collect samples to use for research on blood disorders. Eligibility: People ages 18-70 who have blood disorders. Healthy volunteers without blood disorders are also needed. Design: Participants will be screened with a medical history, physical exam, and blood and urine tests. Participants will give one or more samples. They will give them over 5 years. They can choose not to give any of the samples: Saliva: Participants will spit into a tube. They may also have the inside of their mouth swabbed. Urine: Participants will urinate into a cup. Blood and blood waste products: Blood will be taken through a needle in the participant s arm. Fat samples: An area on the participant s belly or buttock will be numbed. A small cut will be made into the skin and a small piece of fat removed. Mucus and cells from the lungs: The participant will be sedated. A flexible tube will be inserted through the nose or mouth into the lung airways. These participants will also have a physical exam, chest x-ray, and heart tests after the procedure.

Participants needed: 300
Trial details
Age: 18-70Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)Updated: Oct 2, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

PARTICIPANT [+5]

Exclusion Criteria for All Participants [+25]

Status: Recruiting

A Phase 1b, Open-Label Study of DISC-3405 in Participants With Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

This is an open-label, multicenter, within-participant dose-escalation study examining up to 3 dose levels of DISC-3405 and will assess the safety, tolerability, PK, and PD of DISC 3405 in participants with sickle cell disease.

Participants needed: 24
Trial details
Phase: Phase 1Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Disc Medicine, IncUpdated: Oct 5, 2026Locations: 11
Eligibility criteria

Aged 18 years or older at the time of signing the informed consent form (ICF). [+17]

Participants who are receiving regularly scheduled blood (RBC) transfusion thera... [+17]

Status: Recruiting

Exercise in Child Health

This study is a cooperative investigation funded by the NIH. The project is a collaboration among three major NIH Clinical Translational Science Awardees: 1) UCI (lead site with its affiliate CHOC), 2) Northwestern University (with its affiliate Lurie Children's Hospital), and 3) USC (with its affiliate Children's Hospital of Los Angeles). There is an increasing number of children who, through medical advances, now survive diseases and conditions that were once fatal, but which remain chronic and debilitating. A major challenge to improve both the immediate and long term care and health of such children has been the gap in our understanding of how to assess the biological effects of exercise. Like otherwise healthy children, children with chronic diseases and disabilities want to be physically active. The challenge is to determine what constitutes safe and beneficial level of physical activity when the underlying disease or condition \[e.g., cystic fibrosis (CF) or sickle cell disease (SCD)\] imposes physiological constraints on exercise that are not present in otherwise healthy children. Current exercise testing protocols were based on studies of athletes and high performing healthy individuals and were designed to test limits of performance at very high-intensity, unphysiological, maximal effort. These approaches are not optimal for children and adolescents with disease and disability. This project (REACH-Revamping Exercise Assessment in Child Health) is designed to address this gap. Cohorts of children will be identified with two major genetic diseases (CF and SCD) and measure exercise responses annually as they progress from early puberty to mid or late puberty over a 3-4year period. In addition, in the light of the pandemic, a group of children will be added who were affected by SARS-CoV-2 and investigate their responses to exercise. SARS-CoV-2 has similar long-term symptoms than CF and SCD have. Novel approaches to assessing physiological responses to exercise using advanced data analytics will be examined in relation to metrics of habitual physical activity, circulating biomarkers of inflammation and growth, leukocyte gene expression, and the impact of the underlying CF, SCD or SARS-CoV-2 condition. The data from this study will help to develop a toolkit of innovative metrics for exercise testing that will be made available to the research and clinical community.

Participants needed: 240
Trial details
Age: 10-17Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: University of California, IrvineUpdated: Oct 2, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Tanner 1-5, corresponding approximately to ages 10-17 y/o [+17]

Requiring chronic monthly transfusions [+4]

Status: Recruiting

Pharmacokinetics, Efficacy and Safety of Twice Daily Dosing Regimen of Hydroxycarbamide Dispersible Tablets in Children With Sickle Cell Disease

The purpose of this interventional, phase II, national, multicentric, non-randomised, open-label study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy and safety of Hydroxycarbamide Paediatric dispersible tablets with a twice daily dosing regimen in children with Sickle Celle Disease between 9 months to 11 years of age. Participants will: * Take Hydroxycarbamide twice a day every day for 12 months * Visit the clinic at screening, baseline, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months

Participants needed: 50
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 9-11Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: TheraviaUpdated: Oct 1, 2026Locations: 7
Eligibility criteria

Written informed consent, signed and dated by both parents or by the legally acc... [+8]

Participation in any other clinical study for any other pharmaceutical product w... [+8]

Status: Recruiting

A Study of Nicotinamide With Oral Tetrahydrouridine and Decitabine to Treat High Risk Sickle Cell Disease

A randomized control trial in 20 subjects with sickle cell disease comparing oral THU-decitabine to nicotinamide and in combination (THU, decitabine and nicotinamide).

Participants needed: 20
Trial details
Phase: Phase 1Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: EpiDestiny, Inc.Updated: Sep 30, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Age 18 years or older. [+6]

Inability to give informed consent. [+19]

Status: Recruiting

Blood Sampling for Research Related to Sickle Cell Disease

This study will collect representative blood samples from healthy children and adults and from children and adults who have unique red blood cell features that are related to sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is a blood disease that limits the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. The purpose of the study is to collect a variety of blood samples that may then be used to investigate advances and potential new drug treatments for sickle cell disease. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of old. Samples will be taken both from healthy volunteers and from volunteers who have unique red blood cell features that are related to sickle cell disease. Candidates will be screened with a medical history. During the study, participants will undergo a one- to two-hour outpatient procedure at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center. Once researchers have explained the study and obtained the participant s consent, participants will donate 8 cc (approximately 2 teaspoons) of blood. Because repeat testing helps researchers validate study findings, participants who have the unique red blood cell features mentioned above may also be asked if they are willing to return and donate another 2 cc to 8 cc of blood for additional studies. The amount of blood drawn will not exceed 50 ml with any eight-week period for adults or 7 cc within any six-week period for children.

Participants needed: 250
Trial details
Age: 18-100Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Updated: Sep 29, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Patients with sickle cell trait [+3]

Subjects who are unable to comprehend the investigational nature of the laborato... [+1]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Comparison of Thrombin Generation, Platelet Activation and Aggregation Profiles in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Depending on Their SS or SC Genotype (DrepAgreg)

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia, painful crises called vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) and chronic inflammation. Activated platelets from SCD patients contribute to both chronic inflammation and painful VOC. Individuals with the HbSC genotype experience anemia and less severe clinical manifestations than those with the HbSS genotype; however, they are at higher risk of venous thromboembolic events, particularly pulmonary embolism. This study aims to investigate whether sickle cell patients exhibit different thrombin generation profiles as well as distinct platelet activation and aggregation profiles, depending on their SS or SC genotype.

Participants needed: 60
Trial details
Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de la GuadeloupeUpdated: Oct 1, 2026Locations: 2
Eligibility criteria

SCD patients with SS or SC [+6]

patients younger than 18 years old [+4]

Status: Recruiting

A Study to Investigate the Effect of Mitapivat on Transfusion Burden in Subjects With Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

The primary objective of this study is to determine the effect of mitapivat versus placebo on the need for transfusions in subjects with SCD.

Participants needed: 159
Trial details
Phase: Phase 3Age: 12+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Updated: Sep 28, 2026Locations: 3
Eligibility criteria

Age ≥12 years. [+12]

Pregnant, breastfeeding, or parturient. [+32]

Status: Recruiting

A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Crizanlizumab (5 mg/kg) Compared With Placebo in Adolescent and Adult Sickle Cell Disease Patients Who Experience Frequent Vaso-Occlusive Crises (SPARKLE)

A phase III, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to assess efficacy and safety of crizanlizumab (5 mg/kg) versus placebo, with or without hydroxyurea/hydroxycarbamide therapy, in adolescent and adult Sickle Cell Disease patients with frequent vaso-occlusive crises.

Participants needed: 354
Trial details
Phase: Phase 3Age: 12-100Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Novartis PharmaceuticalsUpdated: Sep 28, 2026Locations: 36
Eligibility criteria

Participants must be aged 12 years and older on the day of signing informed cons... [+3]

Fewer than 4 or more than 12 VOCs that are HCP-managed (including VOCs leading t... [+5]

Status: Recruiting

Determination of Red Cell Survival in Sickle Cell Disease and Other Hemoglobinopathies Using Biotin Labeling

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder of the blood. SCD causes red blood cells (RBCs) to die early. This can lead to a shortage of healthy cells. SCD and other blood disorders can be managed with drugs or cured with a bone marrow transplant. Researchers want to know how long RBCs survive in people with SCD and other blood disorders before and after treatment compared to those who had a bone marrow transplant. Objective: To learn how long RBCs survive in the body in people with SCD and other blood disorders compared to those whose disease was cured with a bone marrow transplant. Eligibility: People aged 18 years or older with SCD or another inherited blood disorder. People whose SCD or blood disorder was cured with a bone marrow transplant are also needed. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam with blood and urine tests. Participants will have about 7 tablespoons of blood drawn. In the lab, this blood will be mixed with a vitamin called biotin. Biotin sticks to the outside of RBCs. This process is called "biotin labeling of RBCs." The next day, the participant s own biotin-labeled RBCs will be returned to their bloodstream. Participants will return regularly to have smaller blood samples (about 2 teaspoons) drawn. These samples will be tested to detect the percentage of cells that have biotin labels. These visits may be every 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or some other interval. Participants will continue this schedule for up to 20 weeks or until biotin can no longer be detected....

Participants needed: 100
Trial details
Phase: Early Phase 1Age: 18-100Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)Updated: Sep 28, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Provision of signed and dated informed consent form [+6]

Consumption of biotin supplements or raw eggs within the last 30 days. [+7]

Status: Recruiting

A Research Study Looking at Long-term Treatment With Etavopivat in People With Sickle Cell Disease or Thalassaemia

Etavopivat is a new medicine under development for treating blood disorders like sickle cell disease and thalassaemia. Sickle cell disease and thalassaemia are inherited blood disorders that affect haemoglobin. Haemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen through the body. This study is looking into how safe treatment with etavopivat is and how well it works over a long period of time. The study will last for up to 264 weeks, but it will end earlier if etavopivat is approved in the participant's country.

Participants needed: 480
Trial details
Phase: Phase 3Age: 2+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Novo Nordisk A/SUpdated: Sep 18, 2026Locations: 107
Eligibility criteria

Participant must have ongoing participation in an etavopivat parent study for tr... [+3]

Any disorder, except for conditions associated with SCD or thalassaemia, which i... [+7]

Status: Recruiting

A Study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Etavopivat in Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and safety of etavopivat in paediatric participants with sickle cell disease (SCD). Participants will receive etavopivat and will be enrolled in a staggered manner, starting with the oldest age group and followed sequentially by younger cohorts after review of pharmacokinetic and safety data from the preceding cohort. All participants will undergo a 24-week primary treatment period followed by a 72-week extension treatment period to further evaluate long-term safety and pharmacokinetics of etavopivat. The total duration of the study will be approximately 96 weeks.

Participants needed: 95
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 6-18Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Forma Therapeutics, Inc.Updated: Sep 18, 2026Locations: 18
Eligibility criteria

Type of Participant and Disease Characteristics [+15]

Medical Conditions [+10]

Status: Recruiting

Dietary Intake and Dietary Behaviors in Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) causes blood cells form a crescent shape. It is caused by a genetic mutation in the hemoglobin gene. People with SCD are at increased risk for illnesses like stroke, chronic pain, and heart problems, as well as decreased overall health and well-being. Researchers want to learn more about how nutrition and diet can help relieve or reduce the symptoms of SCD. Objective: To understand how diet, dietary patterns and behaviors, nutrition, and other related factors in adults with SCD affect their overall health. Eligibility: Adults aged 18 and older with SCD. Design: Participants will be screened with a review of their medical records. They will take a pregnancy test if needed. Participants will have a physical exam and medical history. Their height, weight, and waist and hip circumference will be measured. They can complete this exam (1) via telehealth along with a visit to an outpatient laboratory center or (2) by going to the NIH Clinical Center. Participants will complete 2 interviews about their diet. They will talk about the foods they ate in the past 24 hours. They will also complete 1 interview about diet-related behaviors such as food shopping and cooking. They can complete the interviews in person, by phone, or by telehealth visit. Participants will complete surveys about their demographics (such as age and gender), SCD pain, mood, stress, diet, and nutrition. It may take about 1 hour to complete all of the surveys. Participants will give blood and urine samples. They will need to fast for at least 8 hours overnight before giving blood samples. Participation will last for about 2 weeks.

Participants needed: 80
Trial details
Age: 18-120Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)Updated: Sep 18, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

State their willingness to complete all study procedures for the duration of the... [+2]

Less than 18 years of age [+5]

Status: Recruiting

A Study to Evaluate How Well Etavopivat Works in People With Sickle Cell Disease

This study is conducted to confirm whether etavopivat works well at reducing the number of Vaso-occlusive crisis VOCs (sickle cell pain crises) caused by obstructions in blood vessels in adults and adolescents living with sickle cell disease. The study will also evaluate how well etavopivat can reduce the damage to different organs, improve your exercise tolerance and reduce fatigue in people with sickle cell disease.The participants will either get etavopivat or placebo. Which treatment the participants will get is decided by chance. Etavopivat is a new medicine and is currently being tested in other studies in addition to this one. The study will last for about 2 years.

Participants needed: 510
Trial details
Phase: Phase 3Age: 12+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Novo Nordisk A/SUpdated: Sep 17, 2026Locations: 175
Eligibility criteria

Male or female. [+4]

Use of voxelotor or similar agent within 28 days prior to starting study treatme... [+11]

Status: Not yet recruiting

MBI for Pain and Sleep in Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

This study examines the efficacy of a mindfulness-based intervention designed to support pain and sleep management in adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease. Participants will be assigned to either an intervention or usual care group. Participants who are assigned to the intervention group will use a smartphone-based mindfulness program that includes structured modules and guided mindfulness exercises over an approximately 8-week period.

Participants needed: 48
Trial details
Age: 15-39Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: University of Illinois at ChicagoUpdated: Sep 21, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Individuals aged 15-39 years [+5]

Individuals who have significant cognitive limitations that will impair their ab... [+1]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Adaptive Platform Trial for Pain Management in Sickle Cell Vaso-Occlusive Crisis

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a severe hemoglobinopathy, characterized by recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) causing intense pain and frequent hospitalizations in adult patients. Current French and British guidelines recommend rapid administration of strong opioids, primarily through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), as the reference treatment for hospitalized patients experiencing VOC. However, opioid use is associated with dose-dependent adverse effects, including nausea, constipation, pruritus, sedation, and hypoventilation, the latter representing a risk factor for acute chest syndrome. The hypothesis underlying this study is that multimodal analgesia-combining morphine PCA with co-analgesics such as paracetamol-can significantly reduce morphine consumption during hospitalization compared to opioid-only analgesia, while maintaining effective pain control. Although several co-analgesic agents (paracetamol, NSAIDs, nefopam, tramadol, ketamine) are recommended by expert guidelines, including those from the American Society of Hematology (2020) and French recommendations (2025), the level of evidence supporting their use in adult sickle cell patients remains low or non-existent for most agents, with no randomized controlled trials available for nefopam, tramadol, or ketamine. Using an adaptive platform design, this trial aims to compare multiple analgesic strategies against standard opioid-based care, generating higher-quality evidence to optimize pain management protocols for adult patients experiencing VOC

Participants needed: 400
Trial details
Phase: Phase 4Age: 18+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de ParisUpdated: Sep 18, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Adult patients (age ≥18 years) [+4]

Refusal to participate [+17]

Status: Recruiting

Tocilizumab for Acute Chest Syndrome

The investigators are evaluating the role of a low dose of tocilizumab in treating acute chest syndrome in patients with sickle cell disease. Tocilizumab inhibits interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptors and is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and severe cytokine release syndrome, which can be seen with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, and it is also authorized for treatment of COVID-19. Since IL-6 levels are elevated in the sputum of patients with acute chest syndrome, the investigators are hopeful that this will be an effective strategy. The investigators will be looking at how a low dose of tocilizumab affects oxygen status, clinical outcomes, and laboratory markers in patients admitted to the hospital with acute chest syndrome.

Participants needed: 200
Trial details
Phase: Phase 2Age: 12+Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: University of ChicagoUpdated: Sep 15, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Adults ≥ 12 years of age [+1]

Pregnant patients or breastfeeding mothers. [+9]

Status: Recruiting

Study to Understand the Genetic Risk of Developing an Immune Response After Blood Transfusions Among Individuals With Sickle Cell Disease

The purpose of this research study is to look at genes and determine how they interact with each other to find changes that could explain why some people's immune systems may respond to blood transfusions. This response is called an alloimmune response. We strongly believe that when someone has an alloimmune response, it is caused by changes in their genes. We plan to compare changes in the genes of individuals that develop red blood cell alloimmunization after blood transfusions with those that do not develop alloimmunization. This may help us to create more targeted therapeutic interventions, which may improve the health of alloimmune responders.

Participants needed: 50
Trial details
Age: 2-99Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)Updated: Sep 11, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

History of greater than ten administered transfusions or 20 transfusion units (w... [+2]

Impaired decision-making capability, with or without a legally authorized repres... [+3]

Status: Not yet recruiting

Transcranial Photobiomodulation Treatment in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease

Participants are being asked to take part in this clinical trial, a type of research study, because investigators want to learn more about oxygen usage in the brain. Patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease are at risk for difficulties with thinking and academic skills. The brain requires a consistent supply of oxygen for normal function, but this supply is reduced among patients with sickle cell disease. The development of new treatments to improve cerebrovascular functioning is needed to limit these difficulties. Transcranial photobiomodulation (i.e., light stimulation to the brain) has the potential to improve cerebrovascular and neurocognitive functioning among patients with sickle cell disease.Participants will be selected randomly (like the flip of a coin) to receive either active light therapy or placebo (no active light treatment). Primary Objectives * Measure the participation rate in a study of transcranial photobiomodulation to improve cognitive functioning in a sample of children with sickle cell disease (ages 8- 17 years). * Assess self- and caregiver-reported ratings of feasibility and acceptability. * Evaluate the frequency and nature of side effects associated with transcranial photobiomodulation. Secondary Objectives * To assess the change in cognitive performance associated with transcranial photobiomodulation compared to a sham control condition. * To measure changes in cerebrovascular oxygenation (oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin) following transcranial photobiomodulation compared to a sham control condition.

Participants needed: 60
Trial details
Age: 8-17Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: St. Jude Children's Research HospitalUpdated: Sep 10, 2026
Eligibility criteria

Patient diagnosed with sickle cell disease of any genotype [+4]

History of an abnormal transcranial doppler screening [+3]

Status: Recruiting

Sickle Cell Disease Biofluid Chip Technology (SCD BioChip)

'Sickle-shaped' anemia was first clinically described in the US in 1910, and the mutated heritable sickle hemoglobin molecule was identified in 1949. The pathophysiology of SCD is a consequence of abnormal polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and its effects on red cell membrane properties, shape, and density, and subsequent critical changes in inflammatory cell and endothelial cell function. Our goal is to understand the impact of CMA abnormalities in SCD, by interrogating a number of recognized interactions in a range of clinical phenotypes. To date, correlative studies in SCD, by us and others, have range between clinical reports, based on tests, interventions, and chart review of individuals or groups of individuals and, at the other extreme, identification of functional gene polymorphisms based on population studies. The investigators wish to augment these studies through a systematic examination of cellular membrane properties and activation status. Of hematologic disorders, SCD may be unusually susceptible to such an examination.

Participants needed: 100
Trial details
Age: 12+Biological sex: AllType: ObservationalSponsor: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical CenterUpdated: Sep 11, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Male or female ≥12 years of age at the time of consent (enrollment). [+2]

Presence of a condition or abnormality that in the opinion of the Investigator w...

Status: Recruiting

Assessing Molecular Mechanisms and Effects of Music Therapy in Youth With Sickle Cell Disease Using Single-cell RNA-sequencing

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a 4-week music therapy (MT) intervention can reduce chronic pain and improve psychosocial outcomes in youth with sickle cell disease (SCD). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does MT reduce pain intensity, frequency of pain episodes, and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL)? * Does MT alter immune cell composition and gene expression in inflammatory pathways, as measured by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq)? Researchers will compare participants randomized to music therapy versus a control condition to see if MT produces superior improvements in pain and psychosocial outcomes, and distinct molecular changes.

Participants needed: 25
Trial details
Age: 8-18Biological sex: AllType: InterventionalSponsor: Emory UniversityUpdated: Sep 10, 2026Locations: 1
Eligibility criteria

Diagnosed with SCD [+4]

Major hearing deficiency or medical condition in which listening to music may be...