A gentler transplant may cure sickle cell and thalassemia — can the body accept donor cells?

This trial tests a modified stem cell transplant for people with severe sickle cell disease or beta-thalassemia who are at higher risk of transplant failure. The approach uses low-dose radiation and a mix of immunosuppressive drugs to help the body accept donor stem cells without a full-intensity conditioning regimen. Participants receive donor stem cells and are monitored for a year or more to see if the donor cells produce healthy red blood cells. The goal is to achieve a durable cure with fewer side effects than traditional transplants.