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.
Source:http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/uch-usa-varsities-discover-cure-for-sickle-cell-anaemia/
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