Complications of RBC Transfusions in Sickle Cell Disease
Official title: Complications of Hemolysis and Transfusion Therapy
Funded at New York Blood Center · NIH-11365788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how blood transfusions affect people with sickle cell disease, aiming to understand when transfusions help or hurt and how immune responses shape outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York Blood Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rye, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 20, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,942,366 |
| NIH project number | 5P01HL149626-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with sickle cell disease who may need or have received RBC transfusions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing transfusion or without sickle cell disease are unlikely to benefit from this project.
What this research studies
If you have sickle cell disease, this program looks at how red blood cell transfusions influence your immune system and bone marrow. Researchers study heme and EPO sensing in immune cells to see why some transfusions lead to inflammation or immune reactions. The work involves several interconnected projects examining alloimmunization, infections, and transplant outcomes to improve transfusion strategies. The goal is to tailor transfusion practices so they minimize complications and maximize benefits for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer transfusion practices and fewer immune complications for people with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that transfusion biology is complex and that immune-related complications can occur, supporting the potential value of this research.
Where this research is happening
-
New York Blood Center
Rye, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yazdanbakhsh, Karina — New York Blood Center
- Study coordinator: Yazdanbakhsh, Karina
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.