News

The blood-separation device Spectra Optia, which has the ability to remove abnormal red blood cells from sickle cell patients, can efficiently and safely replace these cells with healthy red blood cells from donors, a study reports. The therapeutic tool also uses less red blood cell units than regular transfusion techniques,…

Scores of events are afoot worldwide to mark Feb. 28, Rare Disease Day 2019. The activities aim to raise awareness about rare diseases and the millions of people — estimates run as high as 350 million — they are thought to impact. Across countries, patients, caregivers and advocates will paint faces, wear…

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) released a set of new guidelines for home oxygen therapy for children with chronic health conditions that cause a reduction in blood oxygen levels, such as sickle cell disease. Other conditions include cystic fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, sleep disturbed breathing, pulmonary…

For eligible sickle cell disease (SCD) patients covered by commercial insurance, biopharmaceutical company Emmaus Life Sciences will offer financial assistance to those who need help covering their monthly Endari co-payments. Emmaus is the developer of Endari (L-glutamine oral powder, and called Xyndari in Europe). In the United…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) is updating its 2015 draft guidelines for drug discovery in rare diseases, with new guidance on natural history— how disorders such as spinal muscle atrophy(SMA) run their course if untreated — the choice of “efficacy endpoints” in clinical trials, and how…

Children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia do less physical activity and have a more sedentary lifestyle than healthy controls, according to a study. The study, “Objectively measured physical activity levels and sedentary time in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia,” was published in PLOS…

The Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia (SCFG) will host its 42nd Annual Camp New Hope July 14-20 for youngsters living with sickle cell disease (SCD). The fun and enrichment camp will be held a week earlier than usual at one of Georgia’s most historic campsites, Rock…

Acute vaso-occlusive pain is associated with the onset of menstruation, and about 25% of the women with sickle cell disease can differentiate these episodes from menstrual-cramp pain, a study found. Findings in the study, “Acute Vaso-Occlusive Pain is Temporally…

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients were safely treated with a phosphodiesterase 9A (PDE9) inhibitor therapy called PF-04447943 with no serious side effects reported and possible evidence of fewer vaso-occlusion pain crises, a Phase 1b clinical trial reports. Safety and early signs of possible efficacy — including a drop in biomarkers linked…

Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick has unveiled a campaign to raise awareness and funds for the school’s Center for Sickle Cell Disease. “I am proud to officially launch the Run to Cure Sickle Cell campaign,” said Frederick, MD, MBA, FACS, in a press release. “At birth, I was…