Hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia in Africa
Official title: Realizing Effectiveness Across Continents with Hydroxyurea(REACH): A Phase I/II Pilot Study of Hyroxyurea for Children with Sickle Cell Anemia
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11167449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project gives hydroxyurea to young children with sickle cell anemia in sub-Saharan Africa to help reduce pain crises, hospital visits, and early death while monitoring safety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $500,339 |
| NIH project number | 5U01HL133883-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11167449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young children (newborns through about 11 years) with confirmed sickle cell anemia who can attend regular visits at participating clinics in the listed African countries.
✕Less likely to help
Children without sickle cell anemia, those older than the study age range, or those with medical conditions that make hydroxyurea unsafe are unlikely to benefit from this project.
What this research studies
If your child joins, they will be tested to confirm sickle cell anemia and started on hydroxyurea at a clinic in one of the participating African countries. Doctors will gradually raise the dose to each child's highest safe level while doing regular blood tests and health checks. The research teams will record illnesses, pain crises, hospital stays, growth, and any side effects over time. The work is focused on making sure hydroxyurea can be used safely and effectively for children living in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Uganda.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower painful crises, infections, hospital stays, and early deaths for children with sickle cell anemia in sub-Saharan Africa.
How similar studies have gone: Hydroxyurea has been shown to reduce complications of sickle cell anemia in many studies in high-income countries, and REACH provides important evidence about safe dosing and benefits for children in Africa.
Where this research is happening
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Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ware, Russell E — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Ware, Russell E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Hydroxyurea to help children with sickle cell anemia in Africa
A pediatric study tests hydroxyurea treatment for young children with sickle cell anemia in several African countries to see if it can reduce illness and improve health.
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Hydroxyurea for Children with Sickle Cell in Africa
A pilot study tests hydroxyurea in young children with sickle cell disease across several African countries to see if it can reduce illness and hospital visits.
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Hydroxyurea for Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Africa
A safe and feasible use of hydroxyurea for young children with sickle cell disease in several African countries to reduce illness and improve daily life.
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Hypoxemia during Sleep in Sickle Cell Disease: How Common is It and How Might Treatments Help
This study looks at how low oxygen during sleep affects adults with sickle cell disease and how they respond to therapy across multiple urban and rural sites.
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Hypoxic red blood cells for sickle cell anemia using the Hemanext ONE system
A new approach using special low-oxygen red blood cells from the Hemanext ONE system is being tested to help adults and children with sickle cell anemia who rely on frequent transfusions.
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Hydroxyurea for Children with Sickle Cell Anemia in Africa
A safety and feasibility pilot study tests giving hydroxyurea to young children with sickle cell anemia in sub-Saharan Africa to reduce illness and death.
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.