Milder stem cell transplant could tame aggressive sickle cell disease

This clinical trial tests a stem cell transplant using a milder conditioning regimen—without standard chemotherapy—to treat people with aggressive sickle cell disease who cannot take or have failed hydroxyurea therapy. The transplant uses stem cells from a matched sibling donor, along with immune-suppressing drugs and low-dose radiation, aiming to reduce serious complications like strokes and severe pain episodes. The study focuses on whether the donor cells successfully engraft and how safe the procedure is in this high-risk group.