Thalassemia

Thalassemia is a group of genetic blood disorders that affect approximately 1,000 individuals in the United States. The most severe of these disorders is Cooley's Anemia.

People with thalassemia have a genetic defect of their red blood cells that affects the cells' ability to produce normal hemoglobin. Red blood cells use hemoglobin to carry oxygen to tissues. As a result of the defect, most forms of thalassemia produce a chronic, lifelong anemia that begins in early childhood and often must be treated with frequent transfusions.
What is Thalassemia?

Beta thalassemia describes a condition of the blood characterized by abnormal hemoglobin in the red blood cells. This abnormal hemoglobin is reduced in its capacity to transport oxygen around the body, which leads to anemia, fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath.

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Latest Thalassemia News and Research

NGS-based screening identifies rare and novel thalassemia mutations in Ganzhou, China

NGS-based screening identifies rare and novel thalassemia mutations in Ganzhou, China

New gene therapy offers hope for beta thalassemia patients

New gene therapy offers hope for beta thalassemia patients

Research breaks ground on new ways of treating blood disorders with gene therapy

Research breaks ground on new ways of treating blood disorders with gene therapy

New gene editing approach could revolutionize the treatment of blood disorders

New gene editing approach could revolutionize the treatment of blood disorders

Base editing shows promise for treating sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia

Base editing shows promise for treating sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia

Evaluating the effects of dietary trends on reproductive outcomes

Evaluating the effects of dietary trends on reproductive outcomes

Hemex Health awarded $3 million grant to advance commercialization of Gazelle Hb Variant Test for the U.S. market

Hemex Health awarded $3 million grant to advance commercialization of Gazelle Hb Variant Test for the U.S. market

Study highlights a persistent life expectancy gap among patients living with sickle cell disease

Study highlights a persistent life expectancy gap among patients living with sickle cell disease

BGI cares - 2022 social responsibilities in review

BGI cares - 2022 social responsibilities in review

Many genetic disorders respond well to specialized gene therapy

Many genetic disorders respond well to specialized gene therapy

Protection afforded by SARS-CoV-2 infection against reinfection when Omicron BA.5 was the dominating subvariant in Scania county, Sweden

Protection afforded by SARS-CoV-2 infection against reinfection when Omicron BA.5 was the dominating subvariant in Scania county, Sweden

First transfusions of lab-grown blood

First transfusions of lab-grown blood

Scientists show how cellular hypoxia response increases fetal hemoglobin expression in adults

Scientists show how cellular hypoxia response increases fetal hemoglobin expression in adults

Azerbaijan Thalassemia Center and BGI partner to improve thalassemia screening in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Thalassemia Center and BGI partner to improve thalassemia screening in Azerbaijan

Researchers explore disease severity post-infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in hematologic patients

Researchers explore disease severity post-infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in hematologic patients

Efficacy of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sublineages in Sweden

Efficacy of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 sublineages in Sweden

UNSW research improves fundamental understanding of the mechanism behind sickle cell disease

UNSW research improves fundamental understanding of the mechanism behind sickle cell disease

Gene therapy leads to durable transfusion independence in youngest patients with thalassemia

Gene therapy leads to durable transfusion independence in youngest patients with thalassemia

Gene therapy may be a curative treatment option for patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia

Gene therapy may be a curative treatment option for patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia

Hydroxyurea therapy can improve or reverse cardiac complications in sickle cell anemia patients

Hydroxyurea therapy can improve or reverse cardiac complications in sickle cell anemia patients