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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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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15 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2022
- Finished
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Mar 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion 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. Exclusion Criteria: * 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
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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
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UPMC
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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