Project Details

Unraveling the Link between Biomarkers and Pain Phenotypes in Pediatric SCD

Olufunke Martin, MD

Summary

BACKGROUND: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is characterized by repeated episodes of vaso-occlusion, that manifest clinically as debilitating recurrent acute pain requiring frequent and prolonged hospital stays with copious opioid and non-opioid analgesia use. Current clinical models do not optimally predict the development of clinical pain in individuals with SCD. Novel biologically based profiles of vascular adhesion (VCAM and P-Selectin) have shown correlations with the risk of acute, self-reported clinical pain events and are foundational to understanding SCD pain biology. GAP: There is a lack of prognostic biomarkers that can reliably forecast the development of clinical pain phenotypes in pediatric SCD patients, hindering timely and effective therapeutic interventions. HYPOTHESIS: Elevated RBC vascular adhesion biomarker profiles (VCAM and P-Selectin) are associated with the development of clinical pain phenotypes among pediatric SCD patients with severe genotypes. METHODS: This prospective cohort study will enroll pediatric SCD patients over 12 months, collecting vascular adhesion biomarker profiles at two routine outpatient visits and intermittent daily pain diaries. A cross-sectional analysis will stratify patients into high versus low adhesion biomarker groups, with EMR reviews assessing pain event frequency and correlating pain phenotypes with biomarker levels. RESULTS: Pending. IMPACT: This study could advance the understanding of pain pathophysiology and biomarker target identification in SCD, leading to better risk stratification and targeted interventions in pediatric patients. The findings could also contribute to improved management and preventative strategies for SCD-related pain, ultimately enhancing child health outcomes for a vulnerable patient population. Website Link: https://utswmed.org/doctors/olufunke-martin/