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The Latest in Sickle Cell Treatment

By Holly Ames/Medstar

Exciting news in the battle against Sickle Cell Disease. The Latest in Sickle Cell Treatment

Published: Tue, September 18, 2007 - 3:14 pm Last Updated: Tue, September 18, 2007 - 3:49 pm

Sickle Cell Disease affects millions of people and September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Researchers know what causes it and how it affects the body, but there's no cure. The News Five Medical Team has a look at what could be the next big thing.

Researcher Donald Abraham is excited about a potential new treatment for sickle cell disease. "It's the best thing I have seen in my what, 37 years in this field. It's by far the best. It has the best chance."

Dr. Abraham is referring to a treatment that could change sickle-shaped blood cells back to normal. "Anti-sickling will move it back to the donut shape."

Healthy red blood cells are round and flexible and easily squeezed through blood vessels. In sickle cell disease, the cells are stiff and crescent-shaped. They get stuck and block the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the limbs and organs.

48 year old Lucy Brown was born with Sickle Cell Disease. "Your joints ache. Your stomach aches. Your back aches. You can ache all over with it."

Brown takes medication to control painful episodes. "if there was something that could stop them completely, that would be a blessing. Yes, it would."

Dr. Abraham's anti-sickling molecule may be the answer to her prayers. "this molecule, 5-HMF, really is a breakdown product in many foods and in plants. So it's really common in nature."

Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University say 5 HMF works by attaching itself to red blood cells, increasing their supply of oxygen. Dr. Abraham adds, "What you want to do to treat sickle cell is you want to oxygenate this because when it's in the oxygenated red form, it won't sickle."

A drug containing the molecule is in the works. Until then, Lucy Brown remains on pins and needles coping with the pain.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood institute is funding studies on 5 HMF. It may take years before it's available to patients. Xechem International has already signed on to market the drug. '

9th Annual Sickle Cell Center Blood Drive

Blood transfusions are a vital part of treating people diagnosed with sickle cell disease. In honor of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, several groups are joining hands to sponsor the 9th Annual Sickle Cell Center Blood Drive. The drive will be held Saturday, September 22nd at Franklin Primary Health Center at 1303 MLK Drive from 10 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon.

There will be some great door prizes and a drawing for two Delta Airlines roundtrip tickets. This year's drive is sponsored by the American Red Cross, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the USA Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Sickle Cell Disease Association of America-Mobile Chapter and Franklin Primary Health.