Anemia Avengers: Modern Interventions for Red Blood Cell Disorders

Presenter: Tina Liu

Faculty Sponsor: Reena Randhir

School: Springfield Technical Community College

Research Area: Biology

Session: Poster Session 2, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, Auditorium, A12

ABSTRACT

Anemia is a blood disorder caused due to decreased numbers or malfunctions in Red Blood Cell (RBCs). This causes weakness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Traditional anemia treatments offered only short-term relief of symptoms by blood transfusions and nutritional support which were not sustainable or efficient. The purpose of the study was to identify the recent innovative approaches that have been effective in the treatment of anemia that target the underlying pathophysiological processes. An extensive literature review of new research papers of high impact was conducted in Pubmed database. This research poster shows the recent advancements in treatment such as molecular therapies, hypoxia-inducible factor stabilizers, and new erythropoiesis-enhancing agents. The success of gene editing by CRISPR-Cas9 biotechnology for hereditary sickle cell anemia and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia are notable. FDA has approved the CRISPR-Cas9 therapy (Casgevy) which edited the erythroid-specific enhancer of the BCL11A gene to reactivate the fetal hemoglobin production to restore red blood cell function. Other discoveries are hypoxia-inducible factor stabilizers that increase the body's own erythropoietin secretion and enhance iron metabolism. We also have new erythropoiesis boosting medicines that increase red blood cell maturation and hemoglobin levels in a sustainable manner. In conclusion, these novel therapies have significantly improved the quality of life for anemia patients by reducing transfusion dependence and increasing RBC production. This is a paradigm shift in the management of anemia, providing robust molecular mechanism based therapies that improve the quality of life and lay the groundwork for an increasingly individualized approach to anemia management in the long term.

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