This Week in Sickle Cell News December 1st to the 7th

By Sean Marshall

Troubling news from bloddjournal.com according to their latest report on sickle cell disease individuals suffering form the illness may have reproductive issues. According to bloodjournal.com a leading website in both medical essays and medical news reports involving hematology and clinical research a new report has arisen explaining the problems sickle cell can have on those who want children. The article itself explained that “up to 24% of men with SCD may develop hypogonadism, a clinical syndrome associated with poor testosterone production, infertility, ED, and poor libido.” Unfortunately the article reported that doctors are not entirely sure why this occurs in men with sickle cell disease. As explained here “multiple theories as to why these abnormalities develop in males with SCD include zinc deficiency and vasoocclusion of testicular blood vessels, but the precise cause is unknown. The theory regarding vasoocclusion of testicular vessels is interesting given reports of recurrent testicular infarction in individuals with SCD.”

Other male issues included abnormal sperm due to “abnormal morphology occur more frequently males with SCD.” As well as erectile dysfunction which is caused by “the result of prolonged or recurrent priapism, which is caused by SCD.”

Fertility in women was also covered but it was stated that there are lower pregnancy rates in women with sickle cell disease but it could be there needs to be further studies to prove if there is a link.

If you would like to read the full article you can find it here: http://www.bloodjournal.org/content/124/24/3538?sso-checked=true

Other issues this week include new developments in cell theropy. In an article that was published December 5th on newswire.com it was explained all about the main obstacles stem cell regeneration surgeries go through. The particular issue covered was overcoming graft rejection of new stem cells into body.

It was stated that “current treatment includes the use of systemic immunosuppression, which leaves the patient at risk for opportunistic infections.” Which is unfortunate and one of the main risks to those who have sickle ell disease. Many people suffering from sickle cell disease often turn to new types of treatment for their disease and regenerative surgeries are becoming more popular. Luckily Scientists now are investigating whether Veto Cell technology, which the article explained was “when the body selectively tunes immune response can change.” The article went on to mention that If this treatment is possible it could change “how immunologists treat blood cancers and bone marrow transplants, as well as the process of how organs are repaired and new ones are regenerated.”

If you want to see the article for yourself click here: http://www.newswise.com/articles/new-development-in-cell-therapy-veto-cell-technology

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