Sickle Cell Gene Therapy Clinical Trials: What Black People Should Know

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited blood disorders that impact the hemoglobin and cause red blood cells to form a sickle shape. This shape makes it difficult for cells to carry oxygen properly. The “sickling” prevents oxygen from reaching different parts of the body, which often causes chronic pain and sometimes comorbid conditions and strokes. It is predominantly carried in Black people, with one in 13 Black babies born with the trait. One in 365 Black babies are born with sickle cell disease. According to infectious diseases physician Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH, we’re only beginning to dig into the causes and treatments of sickle cell disease. She says, “The condition has unfortunately not received the same attention and research funding compared to other genetic conditions. It is only recently that significant breakthroughs in therapy have been discovered and are being implemented.” Now that breakthroughs are emerging, Dr. Assoumou says that it is crucial for patients to seek out clinical trials. She practices at Boston Medical Center, and she often works with patients battling sickle cell disease.  What are Clinical Trials? Clinical trials occur in four phases.  Phase 1 tests safety and dosage with smaller groups, and it typically...