Anemia after severe burns

Inflammatory Mechanisms in Post Burn Anemia of Critical Illness

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI · NIH-11262815

Researchers are looking at how inflammation from severe burns causes anemia to find ways to reduce blood transfusions for burn patients.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11262815 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

As a burn patient, this project looks at how inflammation in the burn wound makes it hard to make and keep red blood cells by blocking normal erythropoietin signals and limiting iron. The team will measure inflammatory signals such as G‑CSF and IL‑6 and study how those signals affect erythropoiesis and iron handling. They will use patient-derived samples and laboratory models to pinpoint which inflammatory steps can be targeted. The overall aim is to identify treatments that lower transfusion needs in burn unit and ICU patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients with significant burn injuries or critically ill burn patients who are experiencing anemia and are treated in or referred to a burn unit or ICU.

Not a fit: People with anemia from chronic non-inflammatory causes or conditions unrelated to acute burn/critical illness are unlikely to benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce the need for blood transfusions by restoring red blood cell production after severe burns.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows erythropoietin and iron often fail in this setting and links IL‑6 and other inflammatory molecules to anemia, but directly targeting these pathways in burn-related anemia is still relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.