Hematology Times
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CytopeniasLow dose of cannabinoids provides relief from SCD pain
Cannabis
Cannabinoids lessen pain from sickle cell disease (SCD) as well as opioids, at least in a mouse model, according to a new study at the University of Minnesota Medical School. The novel approach seems to provide relief similar to opioids, the current standard of care, for acute and chronic pain. However, cannabinoids have fewer negative side effects since smaller doses are required to achieve relief, decreasing the amount of drug reacting in the brain. ... [Read Article] Researchers claim gene therapy corrects β-thalassemia
Blood smear showing
thalassemia New research published in EMBO Molecular Medicine suggests that gene therapy may cure patients with β-thalassemia. The research team, led by Giuliana Ferrari, PhD, of the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy in Milan, claims to have developed a gene transfer treatment that corrects the lack of β-globulin in the blood of β-thalassemia patients. ... [Read Article] EZH2 in MPNs and MDS
Thomas Ernst, MD
New research indicates mutations of the histone methyltransferase EZH2 confer poor prognosis in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which suggests EZH2 acts as a tumor suppressor in myeloid malignancies. Thomas Ernst, MD, of Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory in the United Kingdom, discussed the research that led to these conclusions at the Presidential Symposium of the 15th Congress of the European Hematology Association, which took place June 10-13 in Barcelona. ... [Read Article] PBI-1402: A safer ESA?
©Primera Technology, Inc.
A novel erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) reduces the need for blood transfusions in chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) without conferring the dangerous side effects associated with other ESAs, according to a study presented at the 15th Congress of the European Hematology Association. A previous study showed that the ESA PBI-1402 increases relative and absolute reticulocyte counts in healthy volunteers without significant side effects. Preclinical research revealed PBI-1402 has antitumor activity, which suggests the drug is safe for patients who have anemia associated with cancer or resulting from chemotherapy. ... [Read Article] Cognitive function is lower in adults with SCD
Sickle cell
New data on the cognitive function of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) show a statistically significant decrease in average nonverbal function scores among adults with the disease compared to controls. Researchers at the Children’s Hospital & Research Center in Oakland, California, compared 149 SCD patients, aged 19 to 55 years, against 47 controls to measure neurocognitive dysfunction in neurologically asymptomatic adults. Their findings are published in the May 12 issue of JAMA. ... [Read Article] |
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