# Nonpharmacological Treatment Effects on Proinflammatory Biomarkers among Youth with Chronic Sickle Cell Pain

> **NIH NIH R03** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $81,352

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Chronic pain in pediatric sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major clinical challenge due to the complex interaction
of biological, psychological, and social factors. Consequently, current pharmacological and non-
pharmacological treatments have variable and limited effectiveness resulting in the persistence of chronic pain
during adolescence into adulthood. Optimal treatment of chronic SCD pain requires an individualized,
interdisciplinary care approach that targets the multifaceted biopsychosocial factors that maintain chronic pain,
such as chronic inflammation, nervous system sensitization, stress, and emotional distress. The objective of
the proposed research is to determine if there are measurable elevated proinflammatory biomarkers among
youth with chronic SCD pain that are driven by stress, depression, and anxiety that can be targeted and
modified through non-pharmacological treatment approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. The aims
of the proposed study are to 1) determine if there are key inflammatory biomarkers associated with chronic
SCD pain and stress, and 2) determine if inflammatory biomarkers change for youth with chronic SCD pain
following an adaptive, family-focused, culturally-informed cognitive-behavioral intervention termed Back2Life
that is tailored to address the unique needs of chronic pain in pediatric SCD. A 24-month retrospective
longitudinal study will evaluate stored blood samples from youth with chronic SCD pain to determine the rates
of elevated proinflammatory cytokines and their relationship to pain and stress. We will prospectively evaluate
the trajectory of proinflammatory biomarkers among youth with chronic SCD pain participating in a proof-of-
concept clinical trial of Back2Life to see if these markers change with treatment and inform preliminary effect
sizes in order to prepare for a larger clinical trial. Our long-term goal is to develop novel comprehensive
treatment approaches to treat chronic pain in pediatric SCD and improve quality of life.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10686934
- **Project number:** 5R03HL164333-02
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Soumitri Sil
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $81,352
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10686934

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10686934, Nonpharmacological Treatment Effects on Proinflammatory Biomarkers among Youth with Chronic Sickle Cell Pain (5R03HL164333-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10686934. Licensed CC0.

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