Potential sickle cell treatment identified

Posted by Fiona Griffiths

Scientists have identified a possible treatment for individuals with sickle cell disease.

A University of Michigan Health System laboratory study found that increasing the levels of TR2 and TR4 more than doubled the level of foetal haemoglobin produced in mice with sickle cell disease, and also reduced organ damage.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team explained that the proteins are a trigger for the production of normal red blood cells, something which could prevent life-long debilitating pain episodes, chronic organ damage and significantly shortened lifespan, which are all commonly affiliated with the disease.

"The vast majority of sickle cell disease patients are diagnosed early in childhood when adult haemoglobin normally replaces foetal haemoglobin, but the severity of the disease can differ markedly, correlating most strongly with the level of foetal haemoglobin present in red cells," says paediatrician and lead study author Dr Andrew D Campbell, director of the Pediatric Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program at the U-M Cancer Center.

He added that the treatment could provide hope to people with the disease, as the long-term effects of the current treatment – hydroxyurea – are unknown.