SCD pathophysiology and (curative) therapies
Nur investigates the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, examining the role of oxidative stress and inflammation in disease severity. Based on pathophysiological insights, his work aims to improve diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions, including disease-modifying therapies and cure with non-myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nur’s clinical and research efforts aim to refine therapeutic protocols and enhance the outcomes of stem cell transplantation. Furthermore, Nur investigates the effect of transplantation on sickle cell disease-related SCD-related aberrations in immune cells, the degree and speed of immune reconstitution, and organ complications. SCD is associated with poor fitness of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) which might have important implications for both gene-edited autologous HSPCs and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, especially those ending with mixed recipient/donor chimerism. These questions are currently being addressed in our research.
Group members at Amsterdam UMC
Sanjay Thakoerdin MD (PhD candidate)
Lisa Dovern MD (PhD candidate)
Research lines
Translational research in sickle cell disease, investigating the sickle red blood cells, neutrophils, oxidative stress and cytokines in disease pathophysiology and their potential as therapeutic targets.
Clinical studies on curative therapies, particularly allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with non-myeloablative conditionings in adults with sickle cell disease.
Long term effects of curative therapies in patients with sickle cell disease. From immune reconstitution, to SCD-related organ complications and quality of life.
Investigating the fitness of autologous hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPSs) and their implications for curative therapies (both allogeneic HCT and autologous gene-edited HSPCs).
Clinical research aimed at improving the diagnostic algorithms and treatment of patients with sickle cell disease.
Key publications
Lakshmanan Krishnamurti, MD, Erfan Nur, MD, PhD. Curative therapies in sickle cell disease including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. UpToDate. May 2024
Gaartman AE, de Ligt LA, Beuger BM, Tool ATJ, Veldthuis M, Kuijpers TW, van Zwieten R, Biemond BJ, van Bruggen R, Nur E. Dynamics of neutrophil phenotype and function in Sickle Cell Disease. Front Immunol. 2025 May 2;16:1591283.
Brandsen RP, Dovern E, Biemond BJ, Diederen RMH, Nur E. The Impact of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation on Sickle Cell Retinopathy and Maculopathy: A Prospective, Observational Study. Am J Hematol. 2025 Aug;100(8):1448-1452
Dovern E, Nijland SJAM, Braamse AMJ, van Muilekom MM, Suijk EMJ, Hoogendoorn GM, van Tuijn CFJ, DeBaun MR, Biemond BJ, Haverman L, Nur E. Changes in the quality of life of adults with sickle cell disease following allogeneic stem cell transplantation: A mixed-methods, prospective cohort study. Hemasphere. 2025 Mar 24;9(3):e70100.
De Ligt LA, Gaartman AE, Konté K, Thakoerdin S, Fijnvandraat K, Kuijpers TW, van Bruggen R, Biemond BJ, Nur E. Plasma inflammatory and angiogenic protein profiling of patients with sickle cell disease. Br J Haematol. 2025 Mar;206(3):954-964.
Gaartman AE, Beuger BM, de Ligt LA, Veldthuis M, Matlung HL, Meijers JCM, Schalkwijk CG, de Heer K, Heijmans J, van Zwieten R, Biemond BJ, van Bruggen R, Nur E. Low-dose iron chelation as anti-oxidative therapy in patients with sickle cell disease: A single-centre pilot study. Br J Haematol. 2025 Mar;206(3):1010-1013.
Dovern E, Aydin M, Hazenberg MD, Tang MW, Suijk EM, Hoogendoorn GM, Van Tuijn, C. F. J., Kerkhoffs, J. L., Rutten, C. E., Zeerleder, S. S., de la Fuente, J., Biemond, B. J. and Nur, E. Azathioprine/hydroxyurea preconditioning prior to nonmyeloablative matched sibling donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults with sickle cell disease: A prospective observational cohort study. Am J Hematol. 2024.
Dovern E, Aydin M, DeBaun MR, Alizade K, Biemond BJ, Nur E. Effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on sickle cell disease-related organ complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Hematol. 2024;99(6):1129-41.
Kassim AA, de la Fuente J, Nur E, Wilkerson KL, Alahmari AD, Seber A, Bonfim, C., Simoes, B. P., Alzahrani, M., Eckrich, M. J., Horn, B., Hanna, R., Dhedin, N., Rangarajan, H. G., Gouveia, R. V., Almohareb, F., Aljurf, M., Essa, M., Alahmari, B., Gatwood, K., Connelly, J. A., Dovern, E., Rodeghier, M. and DeBaun, M. R. An international learning collaborative phase 2 trial for haploidentical bone marrow transplant in sickle cell disease. Blood. 2024;143(25):2654-65.
De Ligt LA, Gaartman AE, Biemond BJ, Fijnvandraat K, van Bruggen R, Nur E. Neutrophils in sickle cell disease: Exploring their potential role as a therapeutic target Am J Hematol. 2024 Jun;99(6):1119-1128
More papers (Pubmed)
Funding
- Internal Product- and process development cellular products (PPOC)
- Anonymous donor via Amsterdam UMC Foundation
- Sickle Cell Foundation
- Industry-sponsored investigator-initiated research
Ancillary positions
Clinical Hematologist and Cellular Therapies Program Director Amsterdam UMC
Lydian (L.) de Ligt
