Testing a kidney-protective medication for sickle cell patients

Plain-English translation of NCT07175051 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated May 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.

What is this trial?

This research study is testing whether a medication called empagliflozin can help protect the kidneys of people with sickle cell anemia. The medication has already been approved by the FDA to slow kidney damage in other types of kidney disease, and researchers want to know if it works the same way for sickle cell patients. This is a Phase 2 trial, meaning it's testing whether the medication is safe and effective in this specific group of patients.

Sickle cell anemia often damages the kidneys over time, and many patients develop serious kidney disease if it's not caught early. There are not many treatment options specifically designed to prevent this kidney damage in sickle cell patients, so researchers are investigating whether this medication could offer a new way to protect kidney health.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with sickle cell anemia (specifically HbSS or HbSβ0-thalassemia genotype)
you have albuminuria, which means your urine shows signs of kidney stress at a moderate level
your hemoglobin level is at least 5.5 g/dL at screening
you are able to attend regular clinic visits and manage your care consistently
if you are a woman who could become pregnant, you are willing to use effective birth control during the study and for 30 days after the medication ends

You likely don't qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus
you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or unwilling to use birth control
you have had a serious allergic reaction or intolerance to SGLT2 inhibitors (a class of medications)
you have been hospitalized for a sickle cell crisis or vaso-occlusive event within the past 2 weeks
you have advanced chronic kidney disease (eGFR less than 30) or are currently on dialysis

What participation looks like

As a participant, you would take the medication empagliflozin daily by mouth, similar to taking a regular pill. You would attend regular clinic visits to have your blood and urine checked to see how the medication is working and to monitor your kidney function and overall health. The study will track whether the medication helps slow or prevent kidney damage over time.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

University of Illinois Chicago, Sickle Cell Center, Chicago, Illinois