Jennifer Afranie-Sakyi, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine (Medical Oncology & Hematology)About
Research
Publications
2026
Factors in Implementation of ASH SCD Guidelines on Cognition and Silent Cerebral Infarcts at a Single Sickle Cell Center.
Afranie-Sakyi J, Karimi M, Restrepo V, Bozzo J, Cole J, Van Doren L, Calhoun C. Factors in Implementation of ASH SCD Guidelines on Cognition and Silent Cerebral Infarcts at a Single Sickle Cell Center. Blood Advances 2026 PMID: 42263745, DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2025018268.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchScreening for mood and cognition at a single comprehensive adult sickle cell disease center
Afranie-Sakyi J, Karimi M, Restrepo-Espinosa V, Bozzo J, Cole J, Van Doren L, Calhoun C. Screening for mood and cognition at a single comprehensive adult sickle cell disease center. Blood Red Cells & Iron 2026, 2: 100078. DOI: 10.1016/j.brci.2026.100078.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBurnout in sickle cell disease–focused hematology-oncology–trained physicians: a national cross-sectional study
Restrepo-Espinosa V, Marshall A, Feder K, Afranie-Sakyi J, Carrithers B, Jones-Wonni B, Mensah C, Zhou B, Mistry R, McGann P, Azar S, De Castro L, Calhoun C, Boozang K, Brown T, Lee A, Van Doren L. Burnout in sickle cell disease–focused hematology-oncology–trained physicians: a national cross-sectional study. Blood Advances 2026, 10: 3653-3663. PMID: 41817318, PMCID: PMC13207547, DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2025018338.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThis study investigates burnout in U.S. hematology-oncology physicians specializing in sickle cell disease, showing higher burnout rates linked to systemic factors, reduced recreation, and lower job pride.
2025
The Mortality of Adults With Sickle Cell Disease at a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
Afranie‐Sakyi J, Randall E, Fasano R, McLemore M, Rassi F. The Mortality of Adults With Sickle Cell Disease at a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. European Journal Of Haematology 2025, 114: 663-671. PMID: 39748504, DOI: 10.1111/ejh.14360.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSickle cell diseaseSickle Cell CenterMedian ageAge of deathComprehensive Sickle Cell CenterCell diseaseRetrospective chart reviewSCD-related morbidityRegular clinic visitsDisease-modifying therapiesSCD agesSickle cell disease morbidityLife expectancySevere complicationsChart reviewSCD patientsCardiovascular comorbidityMedian age of deathEarly mortalityClinic visitsPatientsPreventive careMortalityHydroxyureaMorbidity
2021
The Mortality of Adult Sickle Cell Patients at a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center
Afranie-Sakyi J, McLemore M, Rassi F. The Mortality of Adult Sickle Cell Patients at a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. Blood 2021, 138: 971. DOI: 10.1182/blood-2021-147463.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAge of deathComprehensive Sickle Cell CenterSickle Cell CenterHU adherenceLife expectancyMortality dataSickle cell diseaseSickle cell disease complicationsSCD literatureSickle cell disease patientsAcute chest syndromeSickle cell patientsChronic kidney diseaseElectronic medical recordsLikelihood of early mortalityPatient ageNF groupCell patientsEarly mortalityGenotype distributionFormer smokersHealthcare systemAdult sickle cell patientsRF groupNational registrySickle Cell Disease (SCD) As a Risk for COVI19 Compared to Those without SCD Among Patients Admitted in a Large Urban Center, As Estimated By PCR Sars-v-2 Positive Vs Negative Testing
Adamkiewicz T, Mubasher M, Omole F, Echols M, Payne J, Leak-Johnson T, Morgan-Billingslea J, Pines K, Sundal D, Krebs S, Chang E, Afranie-Sakyi J, Flenaugh E, Volcy J, Garcia M, Tewolde T, Driss A, Gbinigie O, Evans C, Harvey M, Alema-Mensah E, Bryan D, Majett C, Taylor H. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) As a Risk for COVI19 Compared to Those without SCD Among Patients Admitted in a Large Urban Center, As Estimated By PCR Sars-v-2 Positive Vs Negative Testing. Blood 2021, 138: 4170. PMCID: PMC8701606, DOI: 10.1182/blood-2021-148846.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSickle cell diseaseRespiratory failureNegative testMedicine serviceICU admissionPositive testUrban health care facilitiesAge of patientsCOVID19 positive patientsHealth care facilitiesGrady Memorial HospitalInternal medicine serviceDiagnosis of sickle cell diseaseStudy periodBlack/African American patientsLogistic regression analysisDichotomous logistic regression analysisInstitutional review boardNegative patientsEffects of sickle cell diseasePatient agePositive patientsSARS-CoV-2 testingPCR-positive testsCare facilities
2020
Cathepsin B, a Negative Regulator of Autophagy, Identified As a Novel Therapeutic Drug Target in Sickle Cell Disease
Ramasamy J, Ibanez V, Al-Qadi K, Zhang H, Afranie-Sakyi J, Molokie R, Lavelle D, Rivers A. Cathepsin B, a Negative Regulator of Autophagy, Identified As a Novel Therapeutic Drug Target in Sickle Cell Disease. Blood 2020, 136: 32. DOI: 10.1182/blood-2020-140119.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNegative regulator of autophagyAutophagy pathway genesMitochondrial retentionNegative regulatorPathway genesRegulation of autophagySickle cell disease miceSickle cell disease patientsReactive oxygen speciesCathepsin BSickle cell diseaseElimination of mitochondriaOverexpression of cathepsin BRecycling of proteinsPharmacological inhibitionAA micePathway gene expressionAssociated with elevated ROS levelsElevated ROS levelsInhibition of CTSB activityTherapeutic drug targetsBeta-globin geneCathepsin B proteinCellular homeostasisRetention of mitochondria
2018
The Impact of Selenium Deficiency on a Sickle Cell Disease Mouse Model
Jagadeeswaran R, Lenny H, Zhang H, Afranie-Sakyi J, Molokie R, Lavelle D, Diamond A, Rivers A. The Impact of Selenium Deficiency on a Sickle Cell Disease Mouse Model. Blood 2018, 132: 3645. DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-99-111833.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSickle cell disease miceSickle cell diseaseVaso-occlusive crisisAssociated with elevated levelsMouse modelReactive oxygen speciesRed blood cellsSCD patientsSickle cell disease mouse modelMouse model of sickle cell diseaseSickle cell disease severitySickle cell disease patientsImpact of selenium deficiencyAssociated with elevated levels of reactive oxygen speciesMulti-organ dysfunctionBlood cellsExcessive reactive oxygen speciesSCD RBCsSelenium levelsOxidative stressAssociated with oxidative stressLow selenium statusReactive oxygen species generationLevels of antioxidant proteinsLevels of reactive oxygen speciesSpinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy and Diabetes
Ravi S, Gilden J, Moid A, Theckedath B, Afranie-Sakyi J. Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy and Diabetes. 2018, 522-526. DOI: 10.2337/9781580406666.case64.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2014
The toxicity of anti-VEGF agents when coupled with standard chemotherapeutics
Afranie-Sakyi J, Klement G. The toxicity of anti-VEGF agents when coupled with standard chemotherapeutics. Cancer Letters 2014, 357: 1-7. PMID: 25449430, PMCID: PMC5478381, DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.10.028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProgression-free survivalMaximum tolerated doseRIBBON-1Standard chemotherapyOverall survivalToxicity of anti-VEGF agentsToxicity of standard chemotherapyInvestigation of targeted therapiesEffects of biological response modifiersAnti-VEGF agentsEfficacy of bevacizumabDoses of chemotherapyMetastatic breast cancerClinical trial modelBiological response modifiersTumor responseSurvival benefitBevacizumabResponse modifiersMetastatic cancerAngiogenesis inhibitorsChemotherapeutic dosesBreast cancerAVADOChemotherapy
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Clinical Specialties
Hematology; Sickle Cell Disease
Board Certifications
Internal Medicine
- Certification Organization
- AB of Internal Medicine
- Original Certification Date
- 2025
News
News
- February 10, 2026
Yale Cancer Center's CRTEC Hosts Cancer Research Discovery Program
- December 31, 2024
Accolades, Awards & Honors
- December 18, 2024
Yale research advances presented at American Society of Hematology annual meeting
- November 26, 2024
Yale Cancer Center to Highlight Breakthroughs in Blood Cancers and Disorders at World’s Largest Hematology Meeting
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