Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

The addition of briquilimab, Jasper Therapeutics’ investigational conditioning therapy, improved the success of a stem cell transplant in people with sickle cell disease (SCD), early data from the first three patients in a Phase 1/2 trial show. According to the company, two of the three patients, all treated…

Adding omega-3 or vitamin D supplements boosts the therapeutic effectiveness of standard of care therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) children with vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), a recent study shows. Omega-3 supplements reduced the number and severity of VOCs, while vitamin D lessened their severity only. Supplementation also reduced the…

People with sickle cell anemia are at a significantly higher risk of developing periodontitis, a serious gum disease, a study reported. In turn, periodontitis was associated with elevated levels of inflammation markers in patients and a three times greater chance of more than three painful vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) each year.

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at a high risk of developing severe symptoms after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, one of the most recent variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a new French study. In fact, more than 85% of children infected with…

A new cost-free program, called Sickle Cell Warrior program, designed to promote equitable care and provide information on clinical trials and financial assistance to sickle cell disease (SCD) patients has been launched by The National Marrow donor program (NMDP)/Be The Match. As part of this month’s SCD Awareness…

Lowering the risk of long-term complications, including organ damage and hemolytic anemia — driven by the destruction of red blood cells — are common goals for sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, according to data from Global Blood Therapeutics’ international SHAPE survey. Survey results also…

The UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals in California has announced the addition of the Stad Center for Pediatric Pain, Palliative & Integrative Medicine, which is tailored for treating pain in children with disorders such as sickle cell disease. Harboring one of the most innovative and comprehensive programs of its kind in…

Treatment with hydroxyurea at the time of conception may be safe, but its use by women with sickle cell disease (SCD) during pregnancy was linked to twofold higher risks of both miscarriage and stillbirth, a U.S. study reported. Pregnant women taking hydroxyurea — used to reduce the frequency…

CRISPR Therapeutics and Vertex have launched two Phase 3 trials to assess the safety and effectiveness of CTX001, an experimental gene-editing cell therapy, one in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and another for those with transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). Both Phase 3 studies will enroll up to…

Robotic ducks were delivered recently as comfort companions to children with sickle cell disease (SCD) at the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper in South Jersey. The life-sized cuddly robot, called “My Special Aflac Duck,” were made available free to children, 3 and older, in a new collaboration between…