New pill aims to cut sickle cell pain crises
NCT ID NCT05861453
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This completed Phase 2 trial tested an oral drug called epeleuton in 35 adults with sickle cell disease. The goal was to see if it could reduce painful vaso-occlusive crises and improve blood cell health. Participants took 2000 mg capsules twice daily for 16 weeks, and researchers measured changes in crisis rates, blood markers, and pain levels.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Epeleuton (also called DS102), taken as capsules
What this could lead to
If it works, epeleuton could become a new oral treatment to reduce painful sickle cell crises and improve quality of life.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study (Phase 2) with only 35 people. It may not show clear benefits, and side effects are still being evaluated.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Arthur M. Blank Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
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Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
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Emory University - Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, United States
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Jacobi Medical Center
The Bronx, New York, 10461, United States
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Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States
Largo, Maryland, 20774, United States
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Karmanos Cancer Institute
Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States
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Medstar Health
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20010, United States
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New England Sickle Cell Institute, UConn Health
Farmington, Connecticut, 06030-1163, United States
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Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Newark, New Jersey, 07112, United States
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Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Rutgers
New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901, United States
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Science 37
Morrisville, North Carolina, 27560, United States
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St Paul's Hospital Hematology/Oncology Research
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 1M7, Canada
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The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, A Division of American Oncology Partners, PA
Bethesda, Maryland, 20817, United States
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The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, United States
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Toronto General Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada
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UI Health Sickle Cell Center
Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
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UNC Health
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27517, United States
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University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States