About this Research Topic
More than 100 years have passed since the discovery of sickle cell anemia. This disease is characterized by the sickle-shape of the red blood cells of the individuals, which results from a genetic defect in their Hemoglobin. Nevertheless, many facets of the disease still remain to be explored.
The clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease (SCD) vary tremendously between and among the major genotypes. For example, iron overload is never a problem in India whereas, in Black Americans and Jamaicans, iron overload has been well documented. Similarly, stroke cases are comparatively less in India compared to that of Black Americans. Typically, the patients are anemic and have painful episodes, as virtually every organ of the body is affected by vaso-occlusion. Consequent to this there are different organ dysfunctions and failure.
Genome-Wide Association (GWA) studies have helped in understanding the different complications and sub-phenotype of SCD but there is still a major challenge to combine all these variables and predict the severity of the diseases.
For these reasons, there is still no fixed protocol for the management of this disease. Because of the heterogeneity in phenotypic manifestations of SCD(SS) in the global scenario, there is no uniform management policy. The use of blood components (PRC) is found to be variable in different countries.
With this Research Topic, we aim to mainly address the new developments in the clinical manifestations and therapies for this disease.
We welcome manuscripts on the following topics:
• New developments in drug therapies
• Neurological complications of SCD, such as stroke and pain
• The role of nutrition in SCD and its role in the course of the disease
• The current challenges and complications in blood transfusion
• Neonatal screening for SCD in different countries
• Bone Marrow transplantation strategies
• Gene therapy
The clinical manifestations of sickle cell disease (SCD) vary tremendously between and among the major genotypes. For example, iron overload is never a problem in India whereas, in Black Americans and Jamaicans, iron overload has been well documented. Similarly, stroke cases are comparatively less in India compared to that of Black Americans. Typically, the patients are anemic and have painful episodes, as virtually every organ of the body is affected by vaso-occlusion. Consequent to this there are different organ dysfunctions and failure.
Genome-Wide Association (GWA) studies have helped in understanding the different complications and sub-phenotype of SCD but there is still a major challenge to combine all these variables and predict the severity of the diseases.
For these reasons, there is still no fixed protocol for the management of this disease. Because of the heterogeneity in phenotypic manifestations of SCD(SS) in the global scenario, there is no uniform management policy. The use of blood components (PRC) is found to be variable in different countries.
With this Research Topic, we aim to mainly address the new developments in the clinical manifestations and therapies for this disease.
We welcome manuscripts on the following topics:
• New developments in drug therapies
• Neurological complications of SCD, such as stroke and pain
• The role of nutrition in SCD and its role in the course of the disease
• The current challenges and complications in blood transfusion
• Neonatal screening for SCD in different countries
• Bone Marrow transplantation strategies
• Gene therapy
Keywords: sickle cell disease, therapies, gene therapy, drug therapies, hemoglobin, sickle cell anemia
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
