A new imaging tracer aims to make sickle cell pain crises visible
NCT ID NCT04925492
First seen Aug 18, 2026 · Last updated Aug 19, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a special PET scan tracer can visualize and measure vaso-occlusive crises (painful blockages of blood vessels) in people with sickle cell disease. Researchers will compare tracer uptake with pain levels and clinical markers to see if this imaging method can objectively detect when and where a crisis occurs. If it works, this could improve patient care and support future drug development for sickle cell disease.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- A radioactive tracer called Cu-64-LLP2A used with PET imaging
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this imaging method could help doctors see when and where a sickle cell pain crisis is happening, improving patient care and aiding the development of new targeted treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, small study (15 participants) focused on imaging, not treatment. The tracer may not reliably highlight blockages, and results may not apply to all sickle cell patients.
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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
Locations
-
UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
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