A new drug, pomalidomide, has been shown to prevent and heal sickle cell complications, such as leg ulcers, by increasing foetal blood haemoglobin, which cannot take on the sickle cell shape.

Researchers at Georgia Health Sciences University (GHSU) in the US have been comparing pomalidomide to hydroxyurea, the commonly used sickle cell drug. In studies on mice, researchers have found that unlike hydroxyurea, pomalidomide can form normal foetal haemoglobin and preserve bone marrow function, which increases the proliferation of oxygen-carrying blood cells. These characteristics help prevent sickle cell complications, such as leg ulcers and birth defects. Further studies are continuing in a small group of patients.

'We were thrilled to find that pomalidomide stimulated foetal haemoglobin expression without toxicity to the bone marrow and increased productions of red blood cells in the face of anaemia,' said Dr Steffen E Meiler, anaesthesiologist and Vice Chairman of Research in the GHSU.

Leg ulcers are a common problem for those with sickle cell anaemia (SCA). In the US, 2.5% of those suffering from SCA have leg ulcers. In Jamaica, over 40% of patients have leg ulcers, and in Africa the numbers vary from 1.5-13.5% of patients (see Sickle Cell Leg Ulcers: Associations with Haemolysis and SNPs in Klotho, TEK and Genes of the TGF-β/BMP Pathway).

In its short time in clinical trials thus far, pomalidomide has already aided in healing several patients' leg ulcers.

'We've had two or three other patients like that, whose ulcers healed. That's something rather new and interesting,' said Dr Abdullah Kutlar, a haematologist at the centre.

To see the study, click here.

To see the GHSU press release, click here.

Image: Sickle cell anaemia. Credit: euthman on Flickr.