Clinical Research Specialist

What is clinical research?

Clinical research is an area of health care that focuses on studying the safety and efficacy of potential treatments, diagnostic tools, medications, and other therapies to determine whether they’re ready for public use. 

The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research is the only practice in the country with a stand-alone sickle cell center. Families and individuals travel from all over the world to seek care from the facility’s renowned hematology team. Part of the reason for the center’s highly regarded reputation is its dedication to groundbreaking clinical research.

What is sickle cell anemia?

Sickle cell anemia is a serious inherited disorder that causes red blood cells to mutate into a crescent-like shape. Normally, red blood cells, which are responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body, travel through the blood vessels with ease. However, this sickle shape causes the cells to stick to the walls of blood vessels.

Over time, sickle cells build up inside the blood vessels and cause blockages. Not only do these blockages prevent the flow of blood, they also reduce the amount of healthy oxygen in the body.

Sickle cell anemia requires lifelong treatment and can diminish your quality of life without the right care. One of the most common complications of the disorder is extreme pain from blockages in the body. Stroke is another serious complication that can be dangerous.

Why is sickle cell anemia clinical research so important?

Treating inherited blood disorders like sickle cell anemia is a complex, rigorous process that involves years of research, studies, and clinical trials. In fact, the first medication to treat sickle cell anemia wasn’t even available to the public until 1998. 

Since then, the research team at The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research has worked tirelessly to identify new and effective treatments.

In just the past decade, groundbreaking clinical research has significantly improved the outcome for sickle cell anemia patients. Both stem cell therapy and gene therapy are at the forefront of treatments for this painful, life-threatening disorder.

What is the latest clinical research for sickle cell anemia?

One of the latest advances in clinical research for sickle cell anemia is targeted gene therapy. Sickle cell anemia develops from a single mutation in the BCL11A gene. Targeting this gene through stem cell therapy can help reduce the number of sickle cells in a patient’s blood to prevent serious complications, like stroke.

To learn more about clinical research for sickle cell anemia, call The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research, or schedule an appointment online now.