Understanding how DARC/ACKR1 genetic differences affect white blood cell counts in African Americans
Official title: Evaluating the clinical implications for ACKR1/DARC associated neutropenia
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11331261 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study explores how a common genetic variant tied to DARC/ACKR1 affects white blood cell and neutrophil counts in African American people, to help clinicians interpret these tests more accurately.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $610,112 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL170627-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11331261 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
African American individuals or those with African ancestry who have WBC/ANC testing and are affected by neutropenia risk.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose WBC/ANC are within typical ranges regardless of genotype may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how genetic differences linked to DARC/ACKR1 influence WBC and neutrophil counts in patients, especially those of African descent, to improve clinical decisions during infections and cancer treatment. Researchers will connect genetic data with routine blood test results and clinical information to understand how genotype affects test interpretation in diverse populations. The goal is to translate this knowledge into better reference ranges or guidelines so doctors can avoid misclassifying healthy people as neutropenic or missing early signs of infection. The work builds on prior mapping of the Fy- allele's effect on WBC/ANC and moves toward integrating these findings into patient care. Results could lead to more personalized interpretation of blood tests for African American patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, doctors could interpret WBC and ANC results more accurately for African American patients, reducing misdiagnosis and tailoring treatment decisions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has mapped the genetic basis of reduced WBC/ANC in Fy- individuals, with ongoing efforts to translate findings into care.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ziv, Elad — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ziv, Elad
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Severe Chronic Neutropenia Registry for Patients
A patient-facing registry that tracks severe chronic low neutrophil counts to improve understanding and care for people with this condition.
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Severe Chronic Neutropenia Registry to Improve Care
A patient-focused registry gathers information from adults with severe chronic neutropenia to better understand infections, treatments, and outcomes over time.
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Severe Chronic Neutropenia Registry: Finding Better Ways to Prevent Infections
A patient-focused registry at a leading hospital helps people with severe chronic neutropenia learn how the condition progresses and how treatments work over time.
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Stimulant that grows donor stem cells in the body to speed neutropenia recovery after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
A drug given during or right before stem cell transplant helps donor stem cells multiply quickly inside the patient to shorten neutropenia after treatment.
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Stimulant to grow stem cells in the body to speed recovery after chemotherapy and stem cell transplant
A new drug given briefly before transplant aims to help patients recover their blood and immune system faster after chemotherapy or stem cell transplant.
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PointCheck: a home-based, non-invasive neutropenia monitor for chemotherapy patients
A portable, non-invasive device helps cancer patients on chemotherapy monitor neutropenia from home so doctors can prevent serious infections.
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.