Investigating how certain enzymes affect hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency when treated with primaquine.
Official title: Nqo2 in Primaquine-Induced Hemolysis of G6PD-deficient RBCs
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-11083624 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a malaria treatment called primaquine can cause problems for people with a specific condition called G6PD deficiency, and it hopes to find ways to make this treatment safer for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $644,586 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL172874-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11083624 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency who are at risk of malaria infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency or those not at risk for malaria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind hemolytic anemia caused by primaquine in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd). It aims to identify specific enzymes, NQO1 and NQO2, that contribute to the generation of harmful reactive oxygen species when primaquine is metabolized. By conducting in vivo studies, the research seeks to uncover how these enzymes interact with primaquine and potentially lead to safer treatment options for malaria in G6PDd patients. The findings could pave the way for developing new therapies that avoid hemolytic complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer malaria treatments for patients with G6PD deficiency, reducing the risk of life-threatening hemolytic anemia.
How similar studies have gone: While the identification of these specific enzymes is novel, similar research approaches have shown promise in understanding drug interactions in other conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zimring, James C. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Zimring, James C.
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.