Saturday, May 24, 2008
Avoiding Spleen Removal for Cooley's Anemia Sufferers
Avoiding Spleen Removal for Cooley's Anemia Sufferers: "Avoiding Spleen Removal for Cooley's Anemia Sufferers
Weill Cornell Researchers May Have Identified Gene Responsible for Mutated Red Blood Cells
Preclinical Study Provides Fresh Perspective on Disease, with Potential New Therapeutic Options
NEW YORK (MAY 22, 2008) — Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College may have discovered the precise role of a gene in one of the world's most common blood disorders, beta-thalassemia, commonly known as Cooley's anemia. Along with sickle-cell anemia, Cooley's anemia is the most commonly inherited disease in the world, affecting many people of Mediterranean descent, and 20 out of every 100,000 African-Americans. The World Health Organization estimates that between 50,000-100,000 children are born with the disease each year.
The research is published in the latest online issue of the journal Blood, the official publication of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).
In Cooley's anemia, hemoglobin — the oxygen-carrying molecule on red blood cells — is mutated and non-functioning, resulting in a low red-blood-cell count. Common symptoms of the disease include fatigue, shortness of breath and an enlarged spleen, called splenomegaly, caused by a buildup of malformed red blood cells within the body. The spleen works to filter out these unhealthy cells in order to protect"
Weill Cornell Researchers May Have Identified Gene Responsible for Mutated Red Blood Cells
Preclinical Study Provides Fresh Perspective on Disease, with Potential New Therapeutic Options
NEW YORK (MAY 22, 2008) — Researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College may have discovered the precise role of a gene in one of the world's most common blood disorders, beta-thalassemia, commonly known as Cooley's anemia. Along with sickle-cell anemia, Cooley's anemia is the most commonly inherited disease in the world, affecting many people of Mediterranean descent, and 20 out of every 100,000 African-Americans. The World Health Organization estimates that between 50,000-100,000 children are born with the disease each year.
The research is published in the latest online issue of the journal Blood, the official publication of the American Society of Hematology (ASH).
In Cooley's anemia, hemoglobin — the oxygen-carrying molecule on red blood cells — is mutated and non-functioning, resulting in a low red-blood-cell count. Common symptoms of the disease include fatigue, shortness of breath and an enlarged spleen, called splenomegaly, caused by a buildup of malformed red blood cells within the body. The spleen works to filter out these unhealthy cells in order to protect"
