Could a cheap drug transform sickle cell care for african kids?

NCT ID NCT06171217

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests the drug hydroxyurea in 811 children with sickle cell anemia across Africa. The goal is to see if it is safe and effective, and to make it more available. Children take daily doses adjusted for their weight, and doctors monitor blood counts and fetal hemoglobin levels.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Hydroxyurea
What this could lead to: If successful, this could make hydroxyurea widely available for children with sickle cell anemia in Africa, reducing pain crises and complications.
What could go wrong: This is a phase II trial, so results are still early. Hydroxyurea can cause bone marrow suppression and may not work for all children. Long-term benefits are not yet proven.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

sickle cell disease

As listed by the trial registrant

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

CHILDREN SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre Hospitalier Monkole

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Hospital Pediátrico David Bernardino

Luanda, Angola
KEMRI/Wellcome Trust Research

Kilifi, Kenya
Mbale Regional Hospital

Mbale, Uganda

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