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IRB No. 14-107-6 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Identification of Patient-specific RBC-endothelial Cell Adhesion Profiles as Markers of Sickle Cell Disease Severity.

The research objective of this proposal is to determine in 25 adult/pediatric SCD patients (1) the relationship between pain severity phenotype and the strength of adhesion between single red blood cells (RBCs) and single endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from peripheral blood and (2) the ex vivo effect of pharmacologic inhibitors on RBC-EC adhesion, creating both a patient-specific adhesion profile and therapeutic signature. The results are expected to lead to novel individually-targeted approaches to inhibit the onset and limit the duration of painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs). Our central hypothesis is that the strength of adhesion between RBCs and ECs at baseline is related to patient-specific pain severity phenotype, resulting in the need for patient-specific drug therapy. To test the hypothesis, we will pursue the following three specific aims: Investigate the relationship between pain severity phenotype and baseline RBC-EC adhesion profile in SCD subjects – We will measure the strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from SCD subjects at baseline. Baseline/steady-state adhesion profiles will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine which adhesion profiles correlate most highly with pain severity phenotype. Assess the association of VOE severity with changes in RBC-EC adhesion from baseline to VOE onset. We will measure the change in strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from baseline to VOE onset. Changes in adhesion will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine whether relative changes in adhesion profile at VOE onset correlate with VOE severity. Test the ex vivo effect of targeted pharmacotherapy on the RBC-EC adhesion profile of SCD subjects – We will measure (at baseline and at VOE onset) the ex vivo inhibitory effect of two known RBC-EC adhesion blockers (propranolol and abciximab) to identify patient-specific anti-adhesive therapeutic signatures.

IRB No. 14-136-6 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.

IRB No. 14-107CS-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Identification of Patient-specific RBC-endothelial Cell Adhesion Profiles as Markers of Sickle Cell Disease Severity.

The research objective of this proposal is to determine in 25 adult/pediatric SCD patients (1) the relationship between pain severity phenotype and the strength of adhesion between single red blood cells (RBCs) and single endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from peripheral blood and (2) the ex vivo effect of pharmacologic inhibitors on RBC-EC adhesion, creating both a patient-specific adhesion profile and therapeutic signature. The results are expected to lead to novel individually-targeted approaches to inhibit the onset and limit the duration of painful vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs). Our central hypothesis is that the strength of adhesion between RBCs and ECs at baseline is related to patient-specific pain severity phenotype, resulting in the need for patient-specific drug therapy. To test the hypothesis, we will pursue the following three specific aims: Investigate the relationship between pain severity phenotype and baseline RBC-EC adhesion profile in SCD subjects -- We will measure the strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from SCD subjects at baseline. Baseline/steady-state adhesion profiles will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine which adhesion profiles correlate most highly with pain severity phenotype. Assess the association of VOE severity with changes in RBC-EC adhesion from baseline to VOE onset. We will measure the change in strength of adhesion between single RBCs-ECs from baseline to VOE onset. Changes in adhesion will be compared on an inter-patient level to determine whether relative changes in adhesion profile at VOE onset correlate with VOE severity. Test the ex vivo effect of targeted pharmacotherapy on the RBC-EC adhesion profile of SCD subjects -- We will measure (at baseline and at VOE onset) the ex vivo inhibitory effect of two known RBC-EC adhesion blockers (propranolol and abciximab) to identify patient-specific anti-adhesive therapeutic signatures.

IRB No. 14-136CS-6.2 (Dr. Biree Andemariam, PI): Hemoglobinopathies and Bone Health

This research study has two purposes. The first purpose is to determine whether having sickle cell trait is a risk factor for the development of bone thinning at an earlier age than expected. Nearly 10% of African Americans carry sickle cell trait and most of them are unaware of it. African Americans are less likely to develop thin bones than whites, but if they sustain a bone fracture, they are more likely to die from it. We believe having sickle cell trait may lead to bone thinning and predispose a subset of African Americans to dangerously thin bones. The second purpose is to try to understand why individuals with sickle cell disease have thinner bones than healthy individuals do. Doctors have already discovered that people with sickle cell disease have very thin bones, but they have not determined why. Our study will try to identify whether the bone thinning is from the body not making enough bone or from the body losing bone once it is made.