As part of Rare Disease Day 2023, we want to highlight the work we are doing in Sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is the name for a group of inherited health conditions that affect the red blood cells and can be an extremely painful condition. Although it is considered rare, up to 300,000 newborns are affected each year. Dr Ezanul Wahab, PI on our current Sickle cell study sheds light on the disease and what research is being carried out to help relieve symptoms.
‘Sickle cell is a genetic disease that can be devastating to sufferers. The most common complication is vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), a painful condition due to the sickled red blood cells blocking blood flow to the point that tissues become deprived of oxygen, leading to organ damage, bone death, and cognitive impairment. Ongoing long-term research is seeking to find a cure but for now MAC is currently involved in research to improve the main complication of VOC by either preventing it or shortening the duration of the crisis to improve the lives of patients as well as help prevent long term damage’
Director of Early Phase Research
