New Hope for Those with Sickle Cell Anemia

Currently, about 100,000 Americans suffer from sickle cell anemia. The disease is a genetic disorder that interferes with normal function of hemoglobin molecules in the blood which are responsible for transporting oxygen within red blood cells. The disease's interference with this process leads to the red blood cells stiffening and deforming into the shape of a sickle.

English: Sickle cells characterize sickle cell anemia, an autosomal recessive genetic disorder. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Typically, as the disease worsens, it's effect on its victims does, too. The victim will experience severe pain and other complications, including blood clots, strokes, and kidney and other organ failures leading ultimately to death. Many sickle cell sufferers do not live past the age of 50. Fortunately, some people suffering from the disease are able to be helped by fully-matched bone marrow transplants. The problem is that few patients have access to fully matched donors.

Recently, a team of researchers at John Hopkins conducted a study which revealed a potentially new, and promising, treatment for sickle cell anemia - "half-match" (or partial match) bone marrow transplants. In the study, 3 sickle cell patients received full-matched bone marrow transplants and 14 received half-match bone marrow transplants. The ages of the patients ranged from 15-46 years old. The results showed that 11 of the 17 bone marrow transplants were successful. The most exciting part was that 8 of those 11 were half-matched transplants.

Since the success rate was just a little over 50%, the researchers encourage sickle cell anemia patients to proceed with caution before undergoing a half-matched bone marrow transplant, as it is a major surgery. However, the good news is that for those suffering from the disease another option may be available to them in the future.

For more information about organ and tissue donation, including how to register as a donor, please visit the Tennessee Organ Donation Foundation, Inc.'s website at www.SaveLivesTN.org by clicking here.

Read more : article on www.USNews.com titled " 'Half-Match' Marrow Transplants Help Some with Sickle Cell"

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