Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 18 to 100

Evaluating organ health in sickle cell disease after curative treatments

Official title: Observational Study to Deeply Phenotype Major Organs in Sickle Cell Disease After Curative Therapies

Run by National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC) · NCT05213572 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is trying to see how curative treatments for sickle cell disease affect the health of major organs in adults over two years.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages18 Years to 100 Years
SexAll
Enrollment200 (estimated)
SponsorNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
NIH
Locations1 site (Bethesda, Maryland)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 24, 2022
Main results expectedJune 1, 2035
Study endsJune 1, 2035
Registry record updatedOctober 22, 2026
Trial IDNCT05213572 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of sickle cell disease who are planning to receive curative therapy or have no plans for such therapy in the next two years.

Probably not a fit

Patients who do not have sickle cell disease or those who are not able to comply with study procedures may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to deeply phenotype major organs in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who are undergoing or have undergone curative therapies. Participants aged 18 and older will be assessed for heart, lung, liver, kidney, brain, and cognitive function before and two years after treatment. The study will compare outcomes between those receiving curative therapies and those on non-curative therapies, utilizing various tests including blood work, MRI scans, and cognitive assessments. The goal is to understand the impact of curative therapies on organ function and overall health in SCD patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved understanding and management of organ health in sickle cell disease, potentially enhancing life expectancy and quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have gone: While this study employs a novel approach to evaluate organ function post-curative therapy, similar studies have shown promising results in understanding the impacts of treatments on sickle cell disease.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
* INCLUSION CRITERIA:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
2. Male or female, aged \>=18 years
3. Patients with current or previous diagnosis of any type of SCD (including HbSS, HbSC, HbSbeta\^0-thal, HbSbeta\^+-thal) who:

   1. plan to receive an allogeneic HCT or gene therapy,

      Or
   2. are receiving non-curative treatment (standard of care or investigational) and who do not plan to receive an allogeneic HCT or gene therapy
4. Ability to travel to the NIH Clinical Center
5. Ability of subject to understand a written informed consent document.
6. At least one of the following eligibility criteria:

   * History of stroke (including silent stroke) or abnormal transcranial doppler examination (\>= 200 m/s)
   * Progression of central nervous system vasculopathy on MRA
   * History of SCD-related renal insufficiency defined as nephrotic syndrome OR creatinine clearance \< 60mL/min OR a creatinine level \>=1.3 mg/dL AND kidney biopsy consistent with sickle cell nephropathy
   * Tricuspid regurgitant velocity \>= 2.5 m/s
   * Recurrent tricorporal priapism defined as at least 2 episodes of an erection lasting \> 4 hours involving the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosa
   * SCD-associated liver disease defined as EITHER ferritin \> 1000 mcg/L OR direct bilirubin \> 0.4 mg/dL
   * \> 1 hospitalization per year for vaso-occlusive crises while receiving hydroxyurea treatment
   * A history of 2 or more acute chest syndrome episodes in the participant's lifetime.
   * Avascular necrosis of 2 or more joints
   * Red cell alloimmunization (delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction or significant red blood cell alloimmunization that makes transfusion difficult).
   * Administration of regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusion therapy (\>=8 red cell transfusions in the previous 12 months) to prevent SCD complications (i.e. pain, stroke, or acute chest syndrome).
   * Eligible for an allogeneic HCT or gene therapy at an outside transplant center.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

All individuals meeting any of the exclusion criteria at baseline will be excluded from study participation.

1. Prior transplantation (including but not limited to HSCT and kidney transplant)
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding
3. Patients with allergy to iodine or iodinated contrast solutions will not undergo Iothalamate or Iohexol GFR clearance testing but can undergo the other deep phenotype testing
4. Implanted metal object that is not compatible with MRI (e.g.: cerebral aneurysm clip, cochlear implant, or pacemaker)
5. Patients with a pacemaker or automated implantable cardioverter defibrillator will not undergo VCTE but can enroll and undergo the other deep phenotype testing as long as the device is compatible with MRI and MRI testing can be performed
6. Patients requiring peritoneal or hemodialysis
7. Uncontrolled infection or acute illness

Where it's running

  • National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
    Bethesda, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Courtney F Joseph, M.D. — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
  • Study coordinator: Julia M Varga, R.N.
  • Email: julia.varga@nih.gov
  • Phone: (301) 402-3595

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.