University Of Ibadan And 2 American Universities Discover Cure For Sickle Cell

The University of Ibadan (UI), in
partnership with two American
universities, on Wednesday, announced
the discovery of a permanent cure for
the sickle cell disease.
The cure which was described as less
risky and with a potential to help over 5
million Africans living with the disease,
was the outcome of a research carried
out by UI in alliance with medical
experts at the University of Illinois and
the University of Loyola, both in
Chicago.
Nigeria and other African countries can
now heave a sigh of relief as the
University of Ibadan in partnership with
the University of Illinois, Chicago, USA
and University of Loyola, Chicago have
discovered a permanent cure for the
terminal disease.
The cure of the deadly disease, according
to the 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.
This was revealed yesterday at the
University College Hospital, Ibadan after
a three-day brainstorming session with
other experts in the teaching hospital.
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.
He 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.
The CMD, Prof. Alonge who called for
support from government,
philanthropists, donour agencies and
corporate bodies like banks and
Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation for provision of equipment
and completion of the sickle cell centre,
described sickle cell as a disease of bone
crisis which the patient suffers from
head to toe.
He added that Sickle Cell Disease is a
genetic disorder due to the presence of
an abnormal form of haemoglobin in
the red blood cells, called haemoglobin
S (Hb S) instead of haemoglobin A (Hb
A). Haemoglobin in the red blood cell is
responsible for the transportation of
oxygen in the body.