PET Imaging of Vaso-Occlusive Crisis (VOC) in SCD

Description

The purpose of this study is to find objective biomarkers of vaso-occlusion (blood vessel blockage) in people with SCD. Using information from earlier studies and work being done, researchers have developed a strategy to image VOC, using positron emission tomography (PET). The ability to see and measure VOC in SCD patients can help patient care, by showing when and how a VOC is occurring or going to occur. Studying this method will also help in future drug research, as it will allow researchers to deliver promising new medications that target hyper-adhesion and sickling in people with SCD.

Conditions

Sickle Cell Disease

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

The purpose of this study is to find objective biomarkers of vaso-occlusion (blood vessel blockage) in people with SCD. Using information from earlier studies and work being done, researchers have developed a strategy to image VOC, using positron emission tomography (PET). The ability to see and measure VOC in SCD patients can help patient care, by showing when and how a VOC is occurring or going to occur. Studying this method will also help in future drug research, as it will allow researchers to deliver promising new medications that target hyper-adhesion and sickling in people with SCD.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging of Vaso-occlusive Crisis(VOC) in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

PET Imaging of Vaso-Occlusive Crisis (VOC) in SCD

Condition
Sickle Cell Disease
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Pittsburgh

UPMC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Have a confirmed diagnosis of SCD (HbSS, SC, S/β-thalassemia, SD, SE, SO) by hemoglobin electrophoresis/High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
  • * Aged 18 and above
  • * Ability to understand and provide informed consent.
  • * If receiving hydroxyurea or L-glutamine, crizanlizumab, voxelotor or erythropoietin stimulating agents, must have been receiving the drug for at least 12 weeks prior to screening and plan to continue taking the drug at the same dose and schedule during the study
  • * Experienced at least 2 VOCs leading to healthcare visit within the 12 months prior to screening visit as determined by medical history.
  • * Active malignancy
  • * Current pregnancy or breast feeding
  • * Participating in a chronic transfusion program (pre-planned series of transfusions for prophylactic purposes) and/or planning on undergoing an exchange transfusion during the duration of the study; episodic transfusion in response to worsened anemia or VOC is permitted
  • * Received active treatment on another investigational trial within 30 days (or 5 half-lives of that agent, whichever is greater) prior to screening visit or plans to participate in another investigational drug trial

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Enrico Novelli,

Enrico Novelli, MD, MS, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pittsburgh

Study Record Dates

2026-12-31