This Week in Sickle Cell News: June 30th-July 6th

By Sean Marshall
Big announcements in Sickle Cell treatment this week. The first bit of good news comes from CTVnews.ca where it was discovered that an American study showed that bone marrow transplants reversed sickle cell disease in some adult patients.  According to the article "bone marrow transplants reversed sickle cell disease in 26 out of 30 adults." Even better news the study also discovered that "15 of the patients were able to stop taking drugs that prevent rejection of the procedure just one year later."

According to the author of the article, Lindsey Tanner, the bone marrow treatment involves taking bone marrow from a brother or sister the idea is that "the brother or sister whom have stem cell-rich bone marrow and is a good match for the patient."
The process also involves chemotherapy and radiation treatment to break down the bone marrow of the individual with sickle cell so it can then be successfully replaced with the donor tissue.

However the treatment isn't foolproof. There is still research and testing to be done for this to be the cure for sickle cell disease but for the individuals who were lucky enough for it to work their future is looking even brighter.

If you would like to see the information yourself here's the link:   http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/bone-marrow-transplants-reverse-sickle-cell-disease-in-some-adults-u-s-study-1.1894816

Or if you would like to read a similar story go here:  http://www.newsmax.com/scitech/sickle-cell-reversed-transplant/2014/07/01/id/580333/ 

Unfortunately all news cant be good news. A news article out of AllAfrica.com reports that seven million Ugandans risk producing offspring with sickle cell disease. According to the report "studies by the Ugandan Sickle Cell Association show that Bamba people in West Uganda carry 45% of the sickle cell gene." If the numbers are accurate and up to date tat means that the carry the highest rate in the world. 

The article went on to explain that with better medical equipment those suffering could be treated and even diagnosed early to avoid unnecessary complications.

Link to article: http://allafrica.com/stories/201406300939.html 

Other good news about potential sickle cell treatment comes from DigitalJournal.com. According to their July second article the latest drug designed to treat pain caused by sickle cell disease has passed its clinical trial.

It was explained that the research team at the US Davis School of Medicine was conducting clinical trials on sickle cell treatment drugs. One drug that passed the clinical tests is called GMI 1070 and has major positive affects. It is designed to "maintain adequate blood concentrations in sickle cell victims."

According to the report from The Digital Journal the drug  when they spoke to Ted Wun the associate dean for research at the US Davis School of Medicine, he explained that the drug "did improve blood flow and reduce the markers of cell activation."

GMI 1070's purpose is to reduce the chance of red blood cells from sticking to white blood cells and one another. This is what causes the damage to the body of those who suffer from sickle cell disease.

The article did point out that the whole purpose of the trials was to prove that the drug is safe for human testing and according to the article it is. The next step is human testing but if the trials are as positive as they were in animal testing this could be a big breakthrough in sickle cell disease management.

If you would like to learn more about GM 1070 follow the link provided: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2032018

If you have any questions or concerns just email us at: thesickleinme@gmail.com