NHS England to offer breakthrough treatment for sickle cell disease
The Guardian – Andrew Gregory (Health Editor) Oct 5, 2021
Crizanlizumab is the first new therapy for 20 years for serious and lifelong health condition
Thousands of patients in England are to benefit from the first treatment for sickle cell disease in two decades, the NHS has announced. Crizanlizumab, a “revolutionary” life-changing drug treatment, is delivered by a transfusion drip and works by binding to a protein in the blood cells to prevent the restriction of blood and oxygen supply.
The therapy, the first to become available for the disease in 20 years, will help at least 5,000 people over the next three years, officials said.
Sickle cell disease – particularly common in people with an African or Caribbean background – is a serious and lifelong health condition. It can cause severe pain and organ failure, often requiring hospital admissions.
Current treatments to prevent sickle cell crises include a tablet called hydroxycarbamide and regular blood transfusions, but these are not always effective for people with severe forms of the disease.
“This is a historic moment for people with sickle cell disease who will be given their first new treatment in over two decades,” said Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England. “This revolutionary treatment will help to save lives, allow patients to have a better quality of life and reduce trips to A&E by almost half.”
People aged over 16 who suffer from multiple sickle cell crises every year will be eligible for the treatment. The disease is characterised by the production of unusually shaped red blood cells, which can cause serious health issues across the body, sending organs into crisis and causing extreme pain.
Toks Odesanmi, a sickle cell patient at Cambridge University hospitals trust, welcomed the arrival of the treatment and said it gave her new hope. “Sickle cell disease has defined me, defined my body and made a big dent to my dreams,” said Odesanmi, 47, a finance specialist from Colchester. “No matter how hard I fight, it continues to defeat me. A new treatment brings hope and might make dreaming possible again.”
Sickle Cell Society chair Kye Gbangbola said: “A new treatment brings new hope for people living with sickle cell disorder, the world’s most common genetic blood condition. SCD is a medical emergency, it causes excruciating pain. This new treatment will reduce the number of agonising pain episodes we have to endure.
“The hope is improved quality of life for many living with the condition and their families.”
This is worth trying in our centre the University College Hospital, the first teaching hospital with over 2000 adult sickle cell patients ever registered
We can try a phase 3 clinical trial
I am interested in this and the our Hb S will welcome 🙏 this therapy
We should be able to carry along the Hb SC too
This is absolutely great news
507765 120045I like this web site very much, Its a really nice post to read and get info . 655974
Thank you for the kind word. We are glad you found the blog informative. Please continue to check in as we aim to raise awareness and focus peoples attention to the plight of people with SCD.
64664 692914I like this web web site extremely much, Its a truly nice post to read and get information . 343779
190521 429644 You should take part in a contest for among the greatest blogs on the web. I will recommend this web site! 912958
724259 325909Spot on with this write-up, I truly assume this site needs significantly far more consideration. Ill probably be once a lot more to read far far more, thanks for that info. 337669
483263 524458Thank you for this. Thats all I can say. You most surely have produced this into something thats eye opening and critical. You clearly know so a lot about the topic, youve covered so many bases. Wonderful stuff from this part with the internet. 521521
217730 709959Its rare knowledgeable folks within this topic, nevertheless, you seem like theres a lot more you are talking about! Thanks 320337
813006 392993The leading source for trustworthy and timely health and medical news and data. 261576
62082 425093Very fascinating topic , thanks for posting . 97892
867563 926784Some genuinely good and utilitarian information on this internet internet site , likewise I believe the style and style contains superb features. 940583
293927 139959I truly appreciate this post. Ive been searching all over for this! Thank goodness I identified it on Bing. Youve produced my day! Thank you again.. 645196