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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 9, 2025

A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy

A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy

"Sickle cell trait and the risk for malignancy".

Synéja Richards¹, Rawan Elkomi¹, Sair Ahmad Tabraiz¹

¹Howard University Department of Internal Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.

Journal of the National Medical Association

|September 4, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sickle cell trait (SCT) does not increase overall cancer risk. However, SCT may offer protection against leukemia and shows a potential, inconclusive link to increased renal cancer risk.

Keywords:

Hepatocellular carcinoma Leukemia Renal cancer Sickle cell disease (SCD)Sickle cell trait (SCT)

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Area of Science:

Hematology
Oncology
Epidemiology

Background:

Sickle cell trait (SCT) is a common inherited condition, often considered benign.
Emerging research suggests a possible link between SCT and cancer development.
Understanding this association is crucial for public health, especially in at-risk populations.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between sickle cell trait (SCT) and the risk of developing multiple myeloma, renal cancer, leukemia, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and colorectal cancer.
To evaluate cancer incidence and survival outcomes in individuals with SCT.
To clarify the oncogenic or protective role of SCT in various malignancies.

Main Methods:

Retrospective cohort analysis of de-identified electronic health records from the TriNetX database over 20 years.
Statistical evaluation using risk difference (RD), risk ratio (RR), odds ratio (OR), and hazard ratios (HR).
Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess cancer outcomes in SCT and sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.

Main Results:

Sickle cell trait (SCT) was not linked to an increased risk of multiple myeloma, HCC, or colorectal cancer.
A statistically significant lower risk of leukemia was observed in SCT individuals compared to SCD patients (RR=0.464, p<0.001), suggesting a protective effect.
A modest, non-significant increase in renal cancer risk was noted in SCT individuals (RR=1.201, p=0.059).

Conclusions:

Sickle cell trait (SCT) does not elevate overall cancer risk.
SCT may confer a protective effect against leukemia, potentially via immune or hematopoietic mechanisms.
Further research is warranted to confirm the observed association with renal cancer and elucidate underlying biological pathways.