Bone marrow transplantation has curative potential for patients who have si
ckle cell disease. However, concerns about short-term and long-term toxicit
y, lack of suitable stem cell donors, and limited access to this treatment
currently make it an infrequently utilized treatment for sickle cell diseas
e; The current results of bone marrow transplantation for sickle cell disea
se and barriers to wider application are reviewed. Strategies that might le
ad to broader availability and reduced toxicity of bone marrow transplantat
ion are discussed.