Sex hormones, inflammation, and pain in sickle cell disease
Official title: Sex influences on inflammation and pain in sickle cell disease
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11411236 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how female hormones may boost inflammation and influence painful episodes in women with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $456,237 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL175726-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11411236 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women with sickle cell disease who experience vaso-occlusive pain episodes, particularly around menstrual cycles.
✕Less likely to help
Male patients or women with sickle cell disease who do not experience cyclic pain patterns may have less direct benefit.
What this research studies
The grant focuses on understanding why women with sickle cell disease experience more frequent and severe pain flares, by studying how female hormones interact with inflammation. Researchers will study inflammatory markers over the menstrual cycle and during pain episodes to see if hormonal changes correlate with vaso-occlusive events. The work will use blood samples and clinical data to map patterns and test ideas about hormone-mediated inflammation. A potential therapeutic angle is whether hormonal contraception could help reduce pain flares in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new ways to manage pain in women with sickle cell disease by targeting hormone-related inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior small studies suggested hormonal contraception might reduce VOE frequency, but larger, targeted studies are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roe, Andrea — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Roe, Andrea
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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.