Non-malignant haematology

Our paediatric haematology research focuses on non-malignant (non-cancerous) haematology including bleeding disorders, thrombosis and haemoglobinopathies.  Our research comprises research into new therapies, health-related quality of life and transition from paediatric to adult care.

Our comprehensive bleeding centre is the second largest in the UK, providing care to around 400 patients with haemoglobinopathy and around 260 with sickle cell disease.  The Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Centre at RMCH was the first recognised specialist paediatric centre for ITP in the UK, and runs the national paediatric ITP database, funded by charity the ITP Support Association.

We have extensive experience in early clinical trials, including leading international studies and regularly achieve global first recruits into our studies, meaning that our patients are amongst those who are first in the world to have access to cutting edge care.

Our haemophilia focus is on extended-action (half-life) treatments, which offer great potential to improve quality of life for our patients and their families, reducing the number of hospital visits and stress associated with managing the condition, and enabling patients to participate more freely in school and social activities.

We are also interested in the development of new bypassing agents, anti-sickling drugs, iron chelators, anticoagulants and gene therapy studies.

Our research themes and interests are:

  • Immunosuppressant
  • Thrombopoietin receptor agonists
  • New bypassing agents
  • Anti-sickling drugs
  • Iron chelators
  • Anticoagulants
  • Gene therapy
  • Psychology of bleeding disorders
  • Transition of paediatric to adult care
  • 400 patients with haemoglobinopathy
  • 260 with sickle cell disease
  • ITP
  • Quality of life