admin | Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Oregon

PORTLAND — The Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation of Oregon is excited by the news that two types of gene therapy for sickle cell have been approved by the FDA: Casgevy for “gene editing”, and Lyfgenia for “gene addition”.

The SCDAA has called gene therapy “potentially curative“, though, they warn, not everyone may be “eligible for gene therapy.”

Gene therapy involves a complex series of steps, such as:

sampling and treating the patient’s stem cells;
a regime of chemotherapy to kill abnormal cells;
an infusion of the patient’s own cells treated for sickle cell disease.

Patients who undergo such treatments can expect crisis-level episodes to diminish significantly over time as diseased blood cells are naturally replaced by healthy cells.

Candidates for sickle cell gene therapy must be evaluated against the dangerous effects of chemotherapy.

The FDA has approved both Casgevy and Lyfgenia for sickle cell patients ages 12 and up. The treatments are approved for sickle cell phenotypes SS and S-beta-zero.

SCDAA has more information here.

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Dec 22 2023

NEWS ALERT: Quaker Recalls Granola Bars and Granola Cereals Due to Possible Health Risk

CHICAGO, Illinois – December 15, 2023 – The Quaker Oats Company today announced the recall of specific granola bars and granola cereals listed below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The products listed below are sold throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan. Consumers should check their pantries for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. Additionally, consumers with any product noted below can contact Quaker Consumer Relations (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, Mon.-Fri.) at 1-800-492-9322 or visit www.quakergranolarecall.com for additional information or product reimbursement.