Investigating inflammation in sickle cell disease
Official title: Inflammatory caspase activation in sickle cell disease
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11056758 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long-lasting inflammation impacts kids with sickle cell disease and aims to find new ways to reduce this inflammation and help them feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $596,323 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL166271-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11056758 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are diagnosed with sickle cell disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with sickle cell disease or are older than 11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how chronic inflammation affects children with sickle cell disease (SCD). It aims to identify the mechanisms by which heme, released during red blood cell breakdown, activates inflammatory proteins called caspases, particularly caspase-4. By exploring these processes, the research seeks to uncover new treatment targets that could help reduce inflammation and improve clinical outcomes for patients suffering from SCD-related complications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively manage inflammation in sickle cell disease, potentially reducing severe complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting inflammatory pathways in sickle cell disease, suggesting that this approach could yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bouchier-Hayes, Lisa — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Bouchier-Hayes, Lisa
Related research
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-
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-
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-
Mindfulness-based Support for Pain and Sleep in Young People with Sickle Cell Disease
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-
How diet affects white blood cells and sickle cell disease
A study looks at how nutrition, from early life to adulthood, influences sickle cell disease by examining neutrophils and disease severity in people with SCD and in a mouse model.
-
Nutrition-based plan to ease pain in sickle cell disease
A nutrition-based approach is being tested to reduce pain for people living with sickle cell disease.
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.