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Vol. 43. Issue S3.
Pages S71 (November 2021)
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Vol. 43. Issue S3.
Pages S71 (November 2021)
Sp 11
Open Access
Treatment of sickle cell in 2021
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Salam Alkindi
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Vol. 43. Issue S3
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Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder prevalent in many areas of the world including Africa, Middle East and parts of India. It is characterized by repetitive episodes of vaso- occlusive (VOC) process leading to recurrent painful episodes, hemolytic anemia, and predisposition to infection. Sickle cell manifestations varies and it includes VOC leading to recurrent painful episodes, or organ specific complications such as acute chest syndrome, stroke, splenic sequestration, and many skeletal complications. Although the prognosis of patients with SCD has improved, due to introduction of vaccination, use of antibiotics prophylaxis and blood transfusions, however still patients are dying prematurely. Better understanding of pathophysiology of the disease as well as worldwide interest in the disease has allowed more progress on preventing these complications and development of more focused pharmacological therapies. Hemoglobin polymerization is a primary triggering event in the pathophysiology of the disease, leading to the sickling process, this usually ignite an inflammatory process/ tissue ischemia and increased adhesions. This understanding of the pathophysiology has allowed scientist to develop drugs (three FDA approved within 2 years) that interfere with these processes such as Voxelotor & Hydroxyurea (interfere with polymerization), L-glutamine and Omega 3 (interfere with inflammatory process and oxidative stress) and Crizanluzimab and Tinzaparin (works by inhibiting adhesion molecules). The availability of these therapeutic interventions will allow patients and physicians the freedom to have patient specific therapeutic interventions including development of combinations protocols. SCD is very complex and this meant that drug with multi-faceted action such as Hydroxyurea will remain with us for some time. Further progress also made in the area of bone marrow transplant (including alternative donor pool) and gene therapy /gene editing.

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Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy
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