Treating Sickle Cell Disease Using Hydroxyurea

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder that affects red blood cells and block the blood flow that results in lung tissue damage, stroke and priapism. This disease is most common in Africans and African-Americans.

According to a research presented by The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada 

“sickle cell disease when treated with hydroxyurea, showed vast improvement in lung functions”.

As per Dr. Anya McLaren, hydroxyurea helps in declining the annual respiratory function almost by one-third. The study involved about 94 individuals, age between 6 to 20 years, were treated with hydroxyurea. These individuals then monitored for the time period of 4 years and their hemoglobin F, blood count, liver and renal functions measured regularly.

Two measures of lung function, i.e. FEV1 and FEF25-75 were taken before and after hydroxyurea and showed substantial improvement in both FEV1 and FEF25-75 after the treatment.

This research carried over more than a decade and has evidence that the drug – hydroxyurea is safe and effective, yet the patients suffering from sickle cell disease are under fear of its side-effects, such as carcinogenesis, the formation of cancer. However, the research has confirmed that the fear in patients regarding hydroxyurea has no base.

According to Dr. McLaren;

"Long-term observational studies suggest beneficial effects without excessive damage to bone marrow, deleterious effects on growth and development, altered fertility, accumulation of mutations or increased carcinogenicity"

The aim of this research is to increase the awareness among people about the advantages of hydroxyurea. The researchers have also suggested this drug as a treatment for patients suffering from sickle cell disease. The success of this program will also encourage the physicians to recommend and promote hydroxyurea for the effective treatment. This program is a step in the right direction for the well-being of the people suffering from sickle cell disease.

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