Improving blood transfusions for patients with sickle cell disease
Official title: A precision therapy approach to red cell transfusion for sickle cell disease
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11063209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to make blood transfusions safer and more effective for people with sickle cell disease by finding better ways to match blood donors and patients based on their genetics, especially focusing on Black donors and patients to reduce the risk of forming harmful antibodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $715,949 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169401-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11063209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with sickle cell disease who require regular blood transfusions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have sickle cell disease or those who do not require blood transfusions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the safety and effectiveness of red blood cell transfusions for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) by addressing the issue of alloimmunization, which is the formation of antibodies against transfused blood. The study aims to identify genetic variants in the Rh blood group system that contribute to this problem, particularly in Black donors and patients. By matching donors and patients based on their Rh genotypes, the research seeks to reduce the incidence of alloimmunization and improve transfusion outcomes. The approach includes developing a higher-throughput genotyping method to facilitate donor testing and ensure better compatibility.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the safety and effectiveness of blood transfusions for patients with sickle cell disease, reducing complications and enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using genotype-matched transfusions to reduce alloimmunization, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chou, Stella T — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Chou, Stella T
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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.