Understanding Transfusion Effects in Sickle Cell Disease
Official title: Complications of Hemolysis and Transfusion Therapy
Funded at New York Blood Center · NIH-11015288 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program explores how red blood cell transfusions help or harm patients with sickle cell disease, focusing on immune responses and bone marrow health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York Blood Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $3,043,095 |
| NIH project number | 2P01HL149626-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015288 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for patients with hemoglobinopathies, particularly those with sickle cell disease who receive or may receive red blood cell transfusions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without hemoglobinopathies or those who do not receive red blood cell transfusions would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
We are looking closely at how red blood cell transfusions affect people with sickle cell disease, especially how their immune system reacts. Our goal is to understand why some patients experience complications like alloimmunization (when the body reacts to transfused blood) or infections, while others benefit greatly. We believe that certain molecules, like heme and EPO, play a big role in these reactions and in the health of the bone marrow. By understanding these processes, we hope to make transfusions safer and more effective for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to improved transfusion practices, fewer complications, and better long-term health for individuals with sickle cell disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms explored here are novel, the broader field of transfusion medicine has seen success in improving patient outcomes through ongoing research.
Where this research is happening
-
New York Blood Center
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yazdanbakhsh, Karina — New York Blood Center
- Study coordinator: Yazdanbakhsh, Karina
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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.