In this MD Newsline exclusive interview with Dr. Alecia Nero, hematologist and associate professor in internal medicine and pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center, we discuss the impact of sickle cell disease (SCD). We also discuss sickle cell disease funding and research.
Dr. Nero is the Director of UT Southwestern’s Transition Sickle Cell Program and Adult Sickle Cell Program. UT Southwestern is part of the Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Trials Network.
MD Newsline:
Can you explain why sickle cell disease (SCD) is an important health issue?
Dr. Alecia Nero:
“Sickle cell is considered a rare disease, but it is a very impactful disease on the lives of our patients and their families. The disease can have severe clinical manifestations that can be unpredictable, and, unfortunately, it can be a life-shortening disease as well. What makes it complex is that it’s an inherited chronic condition, so it becomes a life-long disease that our patients have to deal with.”
MD Newsline:
How do SCD funding and research compare to the funding and research for other diseases?
Dr. Alecia Nero:
“Unfortunately, sickle cell disease is not well-funded or researched. It’s tragic because we’ve known about this disease for so long. And there have been historic and recent studies published that compare sickle cell disease to rarer diseases that get a lot more funding and support. This lack of funding and research for sickle cell disease limits our ability to offer more treatments and cures for this serious disease.”
Responses have been condensed and lightly edited.
