Nurse with sickle cell disease joins clinical trial and finds new energy

Courtney Saenz reported on the following story about Dorcus Osho, RN and Dr. Idowu (pictured above).

"Osho recalls her childhood as being limited, surrounded by her parents and teachers who would take extensive precautions to prevent triggers of pain and keep her safe. She regularly visited the hospital for countless blood transfusions and for treatment of infections that routinely impacted her."

“It was soul-crushing, because I couldn’t partake in sports or run as fast as the other kids. I was told not to do anything that involved physical activity,” Osho said.

Transitioning from children’s care to adult care was difficult for Osho while attending college. She made it her goal to find a doctor who was actively researching new ways to treat sickle cell disease in patients. While working as a nurse, she cared for a man who had the same condition and he recommended Modupe Idowu, MD, a hematologist at UTHealth Houston and medical director of the UT Physicians Adult Sickle Cell Center, which provides care for patients living with sickle cell disease.

“When I transferred to Dr. Idowu at UT Physicians, it was like I saw the light again,” Osho said.

"Under Idowu’s care, Osho joined a Phase II clinical drug trial that is researching a hemoglobin S polymerization inhibitor drug called GBT021601. The next-generation inhibitor drug is intended to bind hemoglobin, an oxygen-transport protein, to help red blood cells hold on to more oxygen to keep their shape stable and prevent them from collapsing into a sickle form."

To learn more about the clinical trial visit: At the Bedside: Nurse with sickle cell disease joins clinical drug trial and finds energy she’s never had before - UTHealth Houston

Cheers!

Donna