Permanent cure for sickle cell anaemia found! Another historic feat has been achieved by the University of Ibadan in conjunction with the University of Illinois, Chicago and University of Loyola also in Chicago.
The latest discovery gives patients in Nigeria relief and joy. The
discovery was made public at the University College Hospital, Ibadan
after a three-day brainstorming session with other experts in the
teaching hospital.
Giving details on the discovery, Professor of Medicine, Victor
Gordeuk, who is the Director, Sickle Cell Centre, University of
Illinois, Chicago, USA and his colleagues, Prof. Damiano Rondelli, also
from the same university and Prof. Bamidele Tayo, University of Loyola,
Chicago this new treatment is done through bone marrow transplant and
that it is less risky.
Unlike the other conventional method of stem cell transplant which
exposes patients to radiation which could cause cancer, first blood and
marrow stem cell transplant, BMT, is much more effective.
The experts who were flanked by the Chief Medical Director, UCH,
Prof. Temitope Alonge, Dr. Titilola Akingbola, an haematologist and Dr.
Foluke Fasola, said this stem cell transplant is a standard procedure
for the treatment of many blood cancers in both adult and children.
Gordeuk said: “With this chemotherapy-free transplant, we are
curing adults with sickle cell disease, and we see that their quality of
life improves fast within just one month of the transplant. About 90
per cent of the approximately 450 patients who have received stem cell
transplants for sickle cell disease have been children.
"Chemotherapy has been considered too risky for adult patients, who
are often more weakened than children by the disease. Adults with
sickle cell disease can now be cured without chemotherapy — the main
barrier that has stood in the way for them for so long. Our data provide
more support that this therapy is safe and effective and prevents
patients from living shortened lives, condemned to pain and progressive
complications.
"In the new procedure, patients receive immuno-suppressive drugs
just before the transplant, along with a very low dose of total body
irradiation, a treatment much less harsh and with fewer potentially
serious side effects than chemotherapy. Donor cells from a healthy and
tissue-matched sibling are transfused into the patient.
"Stem cells from the donor produce healthy new blood cells in the
patient, eventually in sufficient quantity to eliminate symptoms. In
many cases, sickle cells can no longer be detected. Patients must
continue to take immunosuppressant drugs for at least a year."
Sickle Cell Disease is a severe hereditary form of anemia in which a
mutated form of hemoglobin distorts the red blood cells into a crescent
shape at low oxygen levels.
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