Increasing use of hydroxyurea to treat sickle cell disease in Nigeria

mAnaging siCkle CELl disease through incReased AdopTion of hydroxyurEa in Nigeria (ACCELERATE)

NIH-funded research New York University · NIH-11146481

A program to help people with sickle cell disease in Nigeria start and stay on hydroxyurea safely.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11146481 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be invited to clinics using a simple step-by-step approach that was developed from prior hydroxyurea work in Africa: screening for sickle cell disease, starting hydroxyurea when appropriate, and keeping the right dose over time. The project trains local health workers and uses task-sharing so more clinics can offer hydroxyurea treatment. It builds on government guidelines and aims to make the treatment practical and affordable in routine care. Your care would be followed over time to track how well the approach works and to support safe medication use.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people in Nigeria with confirmed sickle cell disease (children or adults) who are eligible for hydroxyurea under local clinical guidelines and can attend a participating clinic.

Not a fit: People without sickle cell disease, those with medical contraindications to hydroxyurea (such as certain pregnancies or severe active infections), or those unable to access participating clinics are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, more people with sickle cell disease in Nigeria could get hydroxyurea, which can lower pain crises, hospital visits, and early deaths.

How similar studies have performed: Prior clinical work such as the REACH trial (NCT01966731) has shown hydroxyurea is effective and can be used safely in African settings, but wider implementation approaches like this project remain less tested.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.