EXPERIMENTAL-THERAPY

Bone marrow transplantation, hydroxyurea in children and in patients w ith sickling disorders other than sickle cell anemia, and prophylactic transfusion for prevention of stroke in children are currently being evaluated as treatments for patients with sickle cell disease. Long-te rm complications of each of those treatments are incompletely understo od. Attempts to inhibit sickling by lowering intracellular hemoglobin concentration are still in progress. Combinations of therapeutic agent s with different modes of action and development of more effective tre atment schedules may further improve the outlook of patients with sick ling disorders.