Columbus doctors turn to gene therapy for patients in continued fight against sickle cell disease

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and millions of people worldwide are living with the disease. But advances in treatment are being made.

WRBL News 3 anchor Cameron Sanders spoke to a clinical manager who explained the steps doctors are taking to continue fighting this disease with the latest treatment options.

“Sickle cell treatment is advancing. We’re seeing lots of work in gene therapy, and other disease-modifying therapies,” said Resa Lord, clinical manager of the Bill and Olivia Amos Children’s Hospital.

Gene therapy has now become a common practice not only for identifying sickle cell but also for treating it.

“We collect bone marrow from these patients. The bone marrow is then modified through chemistry and lots of things. And then once that bone marrow is modified, the patient receives the treatment,” Lord said.

One of those genetic therapies includes Lyfgenia, a new treatment that earlier this year cured a Long Island, New York, man of his sickle cell disease. But Lord said it’s not that simple to access.

“It’s not available to everybody. You kind of have to meet criteria to be a candidate to receive Lyfgenia. They actually have to be approved. That is quite costly because it is brand new. They have to have chemotherapy for a time prior to having their own bone marrow treated,” Lord said.

She added, “So it’s very important for people to get that genetic counseling if they know they carry the trait — to have that genetic counseling and know what their risks are,” Lord said.

An estimated 100,000 Americans carry the sickle cell trait or disease, making early diagnosis crucial for every person affected.