Collecting blood samples to study sickle cell disease

High Sensitivity Screening of Compound Libraries to Discover a Drug for the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease

Observational National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · NCT00542230

This study is collecting blood samples from healthy people and those with sickle cell disease to see if new drugs can help stop red blood cells from sickling.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment250 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
SponsorNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) NIH
Locations1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
Trial IDNCT00542230 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to collect blood samples from both healthy individuals and those with unique red blood cell features related to sickle cell disease. The goal is to investigate potential new drug treatments for sickle cell disease by analyzing these samples. Participants will undergo a one- to two-hour outpatient procedure at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, where they will donate small volumes of blood for high throughput screening tests. The study focuses on identifying compounds that can inhibit the sickling of red blood cells, which is a critical issue in sickle cell disease.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with sickle cell trait, known hemoglobinopathies, or healthy volunteers for control purposes.

Not a fit: Patients who are unable to comprehend the investigational nature of the research or those with HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and more effective treatments for sickle cell disease.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in identifying new treatments for sickle cell disease, but this specific approach of high throughput screening is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:
* Patients with sickle cell trait
* Patients with known hemoglobinopathies involving one or two genes for sickle hemoglobin
* Healthy volunteers for control experiments
* Age range: adults greater than or equal to 18 years of age

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

* Subjects who are unable to comprehend the investigational nature of the laboratory research are ineligible to enroll in this protocol.
* As a safety precaution in handling the blood samples, patients with HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C will be excluded from the study. HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitits C testing will not be done under this study. Participants must be co-enrolled under another NIH protocol where the screening evaluation has been performed.

Where this trial is running

Bethesda, Maryland

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Sickle Cell TraitSickle Cell DiseaseSickle Cell AnemiaErythrocytesDrug ScreenSickle HemoglobinNatural History
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.