Sickle Cell Disease is a rare, painful red blood cell disease that negatively impacts blood circulation. This inherited blood disorder occurs when the red blood cells become sickle or crescent-shaped. Other than undergoing a risky surgery, there is no set cure for Sickle Cell Disease. An investigational drug that is used to treat this disease has been showing positive effects for impacting biomarkers of the disease. This experimental drug potentially reduces the sickling of the cells, and scientists are figuring how they can positively deepen these effects.
Biomarkers were used in this research as an indicator of a biological condition. Not only are they used to indicate the presence of a biological disease, but also a measurable examiner of normal biological processes or response to a specific drug or medication.
The drug classified as hydroxyurea, or hydroxycarbamide, is taken orally in 500 mg increments hypothesized to counteract the impacts of the Sickle cell disease. Through a 16 - 24 week maintenance period of focus testing the intake of drugs amongst two focus groups, one group taking the drug while the other does not, data was excavated regarding the quality of life for the experimental groups along with the red (erythrocytes) and white (leukocytes) blood cells of the patients.
Upon the initial 13 weeks of experimenting, the analysis displayed a drastic increase in fetal hemoglobin (HbF), temporary fetal-based hemoglobin structures, contained in F-cells. Additionally, a decrease has been noticed with the reticulocyte, immature red blood cells from the bone marrow, count present in the blood. Patients reported having worse sensations of pain with the sickle cell treatment. Analysis of blood reported maintained levels of leukocytes and lymphocytes, cells that fight pathogens or infections, amongst both groups.
The drug overall had promising results for a future treatment for Sickle-Cell patients and development lead to a high probability for future more permanent treatment. Through more indications for boundaries and attributes of the disease, research continuing resolves with more meaningful information.
