News

Patients with sickle-cell anemia have more eye blood flow resistance than those without the disease — a symptom closely linked to hemolysis, or rupture of red blood cells. This can lead to a better understanding of the disease as well as improved classification and care for sickle-cell patients. The Brazilian study, “Doppler velocimetry of…

Brazilian researchers suggest that a new clinically relevant subgroup of sickle cell disease (SCD) should be considered, based on hematological and biochemical parameters in patients with SCD. Determination of classical biomarkers and lipid parameters can contribute to a better definition of this complex disease and improve patient’s clinical care, they concluded. Their…

Patients who suffered a stroke and have sickle cell disease (SCD) can safely receive lytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), according to new research. The study, “Coexistent Sickle Cell Disease Has No Impact on the Safety or Outcome of Lytic Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke,” was published in…

Researchers have provided more evidence of the accuracy of a recently developed gene-editing technique, showing that the method precisely induces site-specific DNA alterations in the genome. The study may have implications for gene therapy for conditions such as sickle cell anemia. The paper, “Genome-wide target specificities of CRISPR RNA-guided…

The inaugural World Cord Blood Day on Nov. 15 this year will educate parents and healthcare professionals about the current uses for cord blood transplants, a non-controversial source of stem cells which have the ability to treat more than 80 life-threatening diseases, including sickle cell anemia. To date, more…

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may suffer from neuropathic pain, especially if they are 19 years or older, use hydroxyurea as an SCD treatment and show changes in their sensory capacity, a new study says. Researchers are calling for screenings of neuropathic pain because it may lead to faster, more…

Pfizer and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) are collaborating to increase awareness about sickle cell disease and to discuss the need for improved patient care, as well as the importance of clinical trials. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that…

Dietary intake of gum arabic (GA), a water-soluble, natural gum obtained from the acacia tree, seems to improve anti-oxidant defense in patients with sickle cell anemia, according to the results of a Phase II clinical trial. The study “Gum Arabic as novel anti-oxidant agent in sickle cell anemia, phase…

Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients may have a more rapid decline in kidney function, indicated by a marked decrease or increase in the kidney’s filtering capacity, according to recent research. The study, titled “9 Factors Related to the Progression of Sickle Cell Disease Nephropathy,” was presented at the American Society of…

Adolescents and young adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) who don’t regularly take the medication hydroxyurea (or who don’t adhere to prescribed instructions) are generally those with medication-taking barriers such as forgetfulness, lack of access, poor medication knowledge, fear of side effects, or doubts about the drug’s treatment, according to new research. Patients…