Adults afflicted with sickle cell disease have difficulty leading normal lives. New, effective treatments for debilitating symptoms cannot arrive soon enough, but help may be on the horizon.
While rare, sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hemoglobinopathy among people in the United States. It's an autosomal recessive disorder that causes blood cell dysfunction, and it's a global health problem.
Part one of this series explained the scope of SCD, who is most affected by it and its effects on the body, including pain, tissue and organ damage, and strokes. We also introduced Marlo McGee, a longtime SCD patient who was misdiagnosed for years.
Part two takes a close look at sickle cell disease treatment. What is the current gold standard? What's in the works and can gene therapy be a solution for patients such as McGee?