Clinical Trials

Do you or your child have sickle cell disease and have a stem cell donor? This study is exploring how to improve bone marrow transplant procedures so the body better accepts donor stem cells. Participants in this study must be at least 4 years old. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Do you or your child have sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait? This study is interested in understanding pain crises and lung complications that occur in sickle cell disease patients and patients who have other red blood cell disorders. To participate in this study, you must be at least 2 years old with known or suspected sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait, or other red blood cell disorders. Participants will have a physical exam and receive standard medical care for sickle cell disease, including routine follow-up tests and procedures. This study is located in Washington, D.C., and Bethesda, Maryland.

Are you between 16 and 20 years old and willing to answer questions about managing your sickle cell disease? This study is investigating the care and quality of life of patients who have sickle cell disease as they transition from pediatric to adult care. To participate in this study, you must be between 16 and 20 years old and be a patient of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This study is located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Do you or your child have sickle cell disease and also have an interest in contributing to long-term data collection? This study is monitoring patients and collecting biological samples from patients who have sickle cell disease to better understand long-term outcomes. Participants can be any age and must have sickle cell disease. This study is located in six sites in Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Are you pregnant and willing to donate umbilical cord blood to support future sickle cell disease therapies? This study seeks to determine the best way to collect, store, and handle blood from newborns to help researchers improve future sickle cell disease therapies. To participate in this study, you must be pregnant, 45 years old or younger, and willing to donate umbilical cord blood from your newborn. Newborns may be healthy or at risk for sickle cell disease or sickle cell trait. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Do you have sickle cell disease and have not had a blood transfusion in the previous 8 weeks? This study will look at whether a particular gene in people who have sickle cell disease increases the risk for more severe symptoms and complications. To participate in this study, you must be between 18 and 80. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Are you an adult with severe inherited hemolytic anemia who has a well-matched sibling bone marrow donor? This study aims to improve bone marrow transplant (BMT) procedures for older patients by using a low dose of radiation and two immunosuppressive drugs instead of chemotherapy. This type of BMT procedure is described as nonmyeloablative because it does not destroy bone marrow. Participants in this study must be between 2 and 65 years old; have a severe congenital anemia, such as sickle cell disease or beta thalassemia; and have a sibling who is a well-matched stem cell donor. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Do you have sickle cell disease or thalassemia, or are you a healthy volunteer who is willing to undergo a brain MRI? This study aims to understand whether sickle cell disease or thalassemia affects the processes that naturally increase blood flow in the brain when people experience stress. Researchers will measure blood flow using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants in this study must be at least 7 years old and have sickle cell disease or thalassemia. Healthy volunteers can also participate. This study is located in Los Angeles, California.

Do you have pain from sickle cell disease and trouble sleeping? This study will look at whether improving sleep can reduce pain in people who have sickle cell disease and chronic pain. To participate in this study, you must be at least 18 years old, have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, and experience insomnia and chronic pain. This study is located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Are you an adult with sickle cell disease or would like to help research? Some people who have sickle cell disease are at greater risk for developing abnormal blood clots (venous thromboembolism). This could be a blood clot in the leg (called deep vein thrombosis) or a clot that can break off and travel to the lung (called a pulmonary embolism). This study will look at the blood of people who have sickle cell disease and venous thromboembolism, as well as healthy volunteers, to help researchers develop better treatments to prevent blood clots. Participants in this study must be between 18 and 80 years old and be either a healthy volunteer or have sickle cell disease or trait. This study is located in Bethesda, Maryland.