Why some people with G6PD deficiency get dangerous anemia from malaria medicines
Nqo2 in Primaquine-Induced Hemolysis of G6PD-deficient RBCs
This project looks at how certain enzymes in red blood cells cause harmful oxygen molecules and hemolysis when people with G6PD deficiency take primaquine or tafenoquine.
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 ID | NIH-11324026 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers discovered that two enzymes, NQO1 and NQO2, can pass electrons to primaquine metabolites and drive the production of damaging reactive oxygen species in red blood cells. Much of the prior work was done in lab dishes and with isolated cells, and this project will move those findings into living models to see if the same processes occur in organisms. The team will use biochemical tests, animal models, and measurements of red blood cell breakdown to track how these enzymes contribute to drug-triggered hemolysis. Ultimately the work aims to identify steps where the damage can be prevented or reduced so radical cure drugs might be used more safely for people with G6PD deficiency.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with diagnosed G6PD deficiency—especially those with a history of hemolysis after antimalarial drugs or those living in malaria-endemic areas—would be the most relevant group for this research and any future clinical steps.
Not a fit: People without G6PD deficiency or those not facing P. vivax infection are unlikely to get direct benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to prevent or reduce hemolysis and make radical cure drugs safer for people with G6PD deficiency.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown enzyme-driven redox reactions with primaquine metabolites, but translating these findings into living models is a new and relatively untested step.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldfarb, Adam N. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Goldfarb, Adam N.
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 below.