News

An analysis of white matter hyperintensity (WMH, a measure of the risk of stroke) may serve as a biomarker to track the progression of blood vessel anomalies associated with sickle cell disease (SCD) and to check whether treatments were effective, according to new research. The research study, “Enhanced Long-Term…

African Americans who are carriers of the sickle cell trait (SCT) aren’t less fit and are not at greater risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome as they reach middle age compared to non-carriers, new research shows. The study, “Longitudinal association among sickle cell trait, fitness, and cardiovascular disease…

Metformin, a common drug for type 2 diabetes could also be used to treat sickle cell anemia by increasing levels of fetal hemoglobin, found a study conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers.

The American Red Cross has issued an urgent call for blood and platelet donors, citing the need to cover a shortage resulting from extreme winter weather and fewer collections. The organization, which provides about 40% of the blood supply in the United States, is asking eligible donors to make an appointment as…

Molecules present in the extract of papaya, pigeon peas and artar roots could help manage symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD), according to a new study. “Potential Of Three Ethnomedicinal Plants As Antisickling Agents” was published in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics. Current SCD treatments include drugs that can…

Removing the spleen by keyhole surgery is a feasible option for children with sickle cell disease, according to a study that explored the procedure as the sole therapeutic intervention. But because the study described only short-term outcomes, researchers underscored that more research is needed to investigate how a splenectomy affects…

The recent signing into law by President Barack Obama of the 21st Century Cures Act, a bipartisan bill whose aims include speeding the development of treatments for patients with difficult medical conditions, like sickle cell disease (SCD), was welcomed by the biotech company Imara in a recent press release. The legislation, supported…

Scientists have created a risk profile that uses three genetic markers to determine whether there is a high or low chance of a sickle-cell-anemia (SCA) patient developing kidney disease. Preliminary results indicate that the combination does a better job of predicting kidney disease than markers used by themselves. The study,…

Results from the Phase 2 SUSTAIN clinical trial demonstrated that crizanlizumab (SEG101, Selexys Pharmaceuticals, Novartis), an anti-P-selectin antibody, reduced by 45.3% the median annual rate of sickle cell-related pain crises (SCPC), compared to placebo in patients with or without hydroxyurea therapy, a drug used to reduce the rate…

Imara recently presented positive preclinical results of its lead drug candidate IMR-687, a potent PDE9 inhibitor for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD). The presentation, which was previewed in a November article, took place at the 2016 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego,…