Could a common arthritis drug help sickle cell patients?

NCT ID NCT05904093

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This early-stage trial is testing the safety of fostamatinib, a drug already used for arthritis, in 25 adults with stable sickle cell disease. Participants take the pill twice daily for up to 6 weeks, with close monitoring for side effects. The goal is to see if the drug is safe enough to study further for preventing complications like blood clots.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: fostamatinib
What this could lead to: If this drug proves safe, it could point toward a new way to manage sickle cell disease and reduce complications like blood clots.
What could go wrong: This is a very early Phase 1 trial with only 25 people, so it is too soon to know if the drug works or is safe for wider use. Side effects are possible.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

beta thalassemia sickle cell disease Sickle Cell Trait

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DISEASE SICKLE CELL ANEMIA HB-SS DISEASE HEMOGLOBIN BETA THALASSEMIA DISEASE HEMOGLOBIN S SICKLE CELL DISEASE SICKLE CELL DISORDERS

Contacts and locations

Locations

National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
RECRUITING

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

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