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Eight updates for National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
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September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.
The congressional designation is intended to focus attention on the need for improved treatments and additional research for the condition, which affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States.
In conjunction with this observation, HemOnc Today and Healio.com provide the following updates in sickle cell disease.
1. A noninvasive prenatal test developed by researchers in the United Kingdom appeared effective for diagnosis of sickle cell disease among a small patient sample. Read more.
2. The FDA granted priority review to crizanlizumab (SEG101, Novartis) for prevention of vaso-occlusive crises among patients with sickle cell disease. Read more.
3. In this HemOnc Today cover story, hematologists and researchers offer insights into new approaches to treatment and management of sickle cell disease-related pain, research aimed at curing this debilitating illness, and the need for initiatives to improve access to care in the United States and globally. Read more.
4. In this edition of Point/Counter, two sickle cell disease specialists debate whether new therapies will lead to a change or reduction in use of hydroxyurea for sickle cell disease-related pain management. Read more.
5. Voxelotor (GBT440, Global Blood Therapeutics) increased hemoglobin levels and reduced markers of hemolysis compared with placebo among patients with sickle cell disease, according to results of a randomized phase 3 study. Read more.
6. Refugees arriving in Europe from countries with high rates of sickle cell disease should be immediately screened for the disease to help prevent acute crises and potentially fatal complications, according to results of a retrospective study published in Blood. Read more.
7. Immersive virtual reality appeared effective as a complementary therapy to manage vaso-occlusive pain among patients with sickle cell disease. Read more.
8. ASH launched a clinical trials network designed to accelerate development of novel therapies for patients with sickle cell disease. The network will match clinical trial sponsors with research sites, facilitate patient recruitment and provide consulting services. A core component will be a centralized data repository. Read more.