Wally Smith, MD, Virginia Commonwealth University

Concluding their discussion on sickle cell disease management, expert panelists share key unmet needs and hopes for the future.

Shared insight on patient education surrounding gene therapy in sickle cell disease and common misconceptions about this approach.

An overview of gene therapy in sickle cell disease with a focus on the risk-benefit ratio observed in clinical trials and practice.

Panelists take a step back to consider when they might use certain disease-modifying therapy in the setting of sickle cell disease.

Considerations for voxelotor’s unique mechanism of action and prospective use in patients with sickle cell disease.

Panelists share their perspectives on the selection and use of crizanlizumab in certain patients with sickle cell disease.

Shared insight on L-glutamine therapy in sickle cell disease, with deference to observed efficacy and safety considerations.

Expert perspectives on hydroxyurea as a staple therapy in the treatment armamentarium for sickle cell disease.

Focusing on disease-modifying therapeutics, expert panelists discuss foundational treatment goals and guidelines for sickle cell disease.

Reflections on optimal approaches to patient follow-up, particularly regarding pain management and inherent risks in high-dose opioids.

A focused discussion on how comprehensive care is applied by multidisciplinary teams to improve the management of sickle cell disease.

A broad perspective on the value of multimodality care in the management of patients diagnosed with sickle cell disease.

Wally Smith, MD, and Payal Desai, MD, spearhead a discussion on patient education surrounding sickle cell disease symptomology and lifestyle modifications.

Expert perspectives on the importance of newborn screening to impact mortality rates in sickle cell disease.

Expert panelists reflect on the global prevalence of sickle cell disease, as well as general disease awareness.

Shared insight on how a patient’s life may progress following a diagnosis of sickle cell disease, along with considerations for pediatric versus adult management.

An overview on the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease and expert perspectives on the clinical (and psychosocial) burden it presents.

Wally Smith, MD, shares his take-home points for patients with sickle cell disease and urges to get tested for sickle cell trait.

A patient, patient advocate, and caregiver provide advice to those in the sickle cell disease community based on their own experiences.

A patient with SCD describes how connecting with others in the sickle cell community via social media has brought him comfort.

Patient advocate, Cassandra Trimnell, shares her perspective on becoming an advocate for the sickle cell disease community and continuously learning about it.

A patient advocate for sickle cell disease explains how advocacy helps her to manage her disease and why she chooses to be an advocate and educate the sickle cell community.

A patient with SCD and his caregiver share their experiences with the treatment options he received since the diagnosis.

Wally Smith, MD, discusses the mechanisms of actions of various therapies for SCD and the patient factors associated with the choice of therapy.

Wally Smith, MD, reviews the goals of treatment and discusses current disease-modifying therapies for SCD.

A patient advocate speaks about connecting with sickle cell disease communities to improve mental health and create disease awareness.

A patient with SCD and his mother discuss their mental health journey with sickle cell disease and resources that helped them.

A discussion on the importance of mental health awareness and utilization of mental health resources in sickle cell disease, given the statistics of the disorder.

Cassandra Trimnell, a patient advocate, narrates her experience in dealing with the physical and emotional pain of sickle cell disease and finding the beauty in living with the disorder.

Patient advocate, Cassandra Trimnell, talks about her experience of being a mother with sickle cell disease.