Today, Explained A cure for sickle cell?
May 6, 2022
Dr. Dhruv Kular, a physician at Weill Cornell and New Yorker writer, dives into the groundbreaking advancements in treating sickle cell disease, focusing on gene therapy. He discusses the historical context of the illness and the remarkable transition from hydroxyurea to innovative treatments. Dr. Kular highlights the financial barriers patients face and the importance of community trust in healthcare. With a personal patient story, he sheds light on the ongoing challenges and hopeful possibilities for a potential cure.
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Discovery of Sickle Cell
- Walter Clement Noel, a dentistry student, experienced severe medical issues, prompting a hospital visit in Chicago.
- His blood, examined under a microscope, revealed unusually shaped cells, later identified as sickle cells.
Sickle Cell and Ancestry
- Sickle cell disease predominantly affects people of African ancestry due to a genetic adaptation offering malaria protection.
- This connection to ancestry has contributed to historical underfunding and understudy within the US healthcare system.
Victoria Gray's Story
- Victoria Gray, the first patient treated with CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell, shares her experience.
- After a lifetime of pain and hospitalizations, she is now symptom-free and able to enjoy life with her children.