Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

In the years after undergoing a stem cell transplant, people with sickle cell disease (SCD) exhibit quality-of-life scores that are similar to norms for the general population, according to a recent analysis. “In addition to the well-documented survival benefits of [stem cell transplant] for SCD, this study describes…

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) may be more likely than their peers to have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a new study that found that the prevalence of ADHD in SCD kids may be more than double the expected rate in the general population. Based on these…

Enrollment has been completed in the adolescent group of the Phase 1/2/3 RUBY clinical trial testing Editas Medicine’s gene-editing therapy, renizgamglogene autogedtemcel (reni-cel), in people with sickle cell disease (SCD). “I am proud of the Editas team’s work and our advancement in the first half of 2024 as…

A bone marrow transplant may help reverse heart damage in people with sickle cell disease (SCD), according to a study. The findings were published in a letter to the editor titled, “Impact of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation on Myocardial Fibrosis in Young Patients with Sickle Cell Disease,” in…

A novel small molecule called SR-18292, which acts to boost the production of fetal hemoglobin, was shown to reduce disease severity in a mouse model of sickle cell disease (SCD) and demonstrated benefits in other lab testing in a new study. “We’ve uncovered a promising approach that can offer…

Women with sickle cell disease who undergo a stem cell transplant can become pregnant and give birth to healthy children, a new study shows. “The results of this study show that female [stem cell transplant] recipients can achieve successful and safe pregnancies,” Katja Sockel, MD, lead study author at University…

TALEN, a gene-editing technology being used by the clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Cellectis to develop potentially life-changing therapies, was able to correct the mutation that causes sickle cell disease (SCD) in patient cells. That’s according to a new study published by researchers from the company, along with colleagues from…

Treatment with the gene-editing therapy Casgevy (exagamglogene autotemcel) substantially decreased the rates of painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) among people with sickle cell disease taking part in a Phase 2/3 clinical trial. Full results from the trial, which supported the recent approvals of Casgevy in the U.S.,…

England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published final draft guidance recommending the country’s National Health Service (NHS) cover Pfizer’s Oxbryta (voxelotor) to treat sickle cell disease. “Today’s approval by NICE marks a significant milestone in sickle cell care, addressing decades of limited access to…

A nurse clinician-scientist and professor at the University of Toronto, in Canada, is being honored for her work in developing iCanCope, a mobile app that aims to help in sickle cell disease (SCD) pain management. Jennifer Stinson, PhD, was awarded the 2023 Barer-Flood Prize from the Canadian Institutes…