Hydroxyurea monotherapy is insufficient to treat chronic anemia in sickle cell disease (SCD); rather, a combination therapy approach is likely to yield more clinical benefits, according to a study published in Blood RCI.
Chronic anemia is a characteristic feature of SCD, but therapies that deal with this specific issue are lacking. Packed red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are often repeatedly prescribed, but their chronic use can lead to secondary problems, such as iron overload.
Researchers presented the findings of a study that investigated how the use of hydroxyurea affected anemia parameters among patients with SCD. This retrospective, single-center study included 82 patients with SCD who were treated under the UPMC Adult Sickle Cell Program. The investigators collected medical records of patients who were started on hydroxyurea between January 2007 and May 2023. Patients who received transfusions within 28 days before hydroxyurea initiation and the 3-month follow-up period were excluded from this study.