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University of Oregon Library
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PORTLAND OBSERMER
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Volume XVII, Number 31
June 10, 1987
250
New Drug Breakthrough For
-------- Sickle Cell Anemia--------
Development of a new drug that potentially represents a major break
through in the treatment of sickle cell anemia based on an idea conceived
by Dr. Sunday 0 . Fadulu, professor of microbiology at Texas Southern
University, was announced recently.
Disclosure of the yet un-named drug was made during a press confer
ence at TSU attended by the three university researchers who developed
the drug. They are: Drs. Fadulu, A.J. Weinheimer, acting dean, College
of Pharmacy, University of Houston; and Sundershan K. Sanduja of the
University of Texas Medical School — Houston.
TSU microbiologist Fadulu and UH medicinal chemist Weinheimer say
the drug is only available for research use at this time. They believe it will
be at least one year before it is available outside the United States and some
time later before it will be available in the U.S. following Food and Drug
Administration approval.
The drug originally was developed from a plant source, commonly known
as a "chewing stick" in Nigeria. The process involved extraction of the
plant's material followed by isolation of the active compound from the ex
tract that possessed in vitro anti-sickling properties. A synthetic derivative
has been developed with the same efficacy.
In 1970 Dr. Fadulu, who is a native of Ibadan, Nigeria, and who is pro
ject director for sickle cell research at TSU's Research Center for Minorities,
observed that the extract was capable of reversing the sickling of the red
blood cells of patients with sickle cell disease.
His work confirmed the common speculation from folklore medicine that
the "chewing stick" used for oral hygiene purposes also could provide pro
tection from sickle cell disease.
In 1978 Dr. Weinheimer, chairman and professor of medicinal chemistry
and pharmacognosy and iterim dean of pharmacy at the University of Hou
ston, joined Fadulu in the search for the active principle of this extract.
In 1983 Omex International, Inc., a Houston-based firm headed by Shan-
tha Murthy, provided contract support to the University of Houston for
isolation studies to synthesize the active ingredients in the compound. Drs.
Weinheimer and Fadulu were appointed co-investigators and Dr. Sanduja,
now a research associate in the Department of Hematology and Oncology
at the University of Texas Medical School, was appointed UH research
scientist.
Clinical trial tests have been conducted since 1984 on 25 patients in Ga
bon, Panama and Nigeria, using both the synthetic and the natural extracts.
Test results proved extremely positive with all patients showing some level
of improvement.
No side effects or toxicity were observed. The patients experienced a
marked reduction in pain and length of hospital stay during sickling
"crises." Other symptoms alleviated were enlarged livers and stunted
growth and weight. This new drug is the first ever to pass all in vitro test
identified by sickle cell scientists as prerequisites for a useful drug treat
ment.
The patent for international commercialization has been filed as well as
the U.S. patent.
Studies conducted by the World Health Organization estimate that 40%
Dr. Sunday O. Fadulu. Professor of M icro b io lo g y at Texas Southern U niversity, w ill be speaking at the Portland S ickle Cell A nem ia's A nnual
S ickle Cell Sem inar, Septem ber 18th, at the Viscount.
or 40 million Nigerians either carry the sickle cell genetic trait or are at risk
for the disease. Consequently, the desire to stop the effects of this disease
has become the number one priority in many African nations, Fadulu says.
In addition, studies by Burrington Associates of America estimate that
approximately 60,000 Black Americans and up to four million Central and
South American citizens are afflicted by this disease.
Sickle Cell Screening in Public School System This Fall?
Po' " ’ nd
e Cell Anemia Foundation, Inc. The check is the proceeds of a
The Foundation plans to implement major sickle screening in the public school system
this Fall. Screening is necessary to identify carriers of the Sickle Cell gene and inform
the individuals. The follow-up counseling is a major part of the screening program to
avert psycho-social handicaps and facilitate well-informed family planning decisions in
later years because when both parents carrying the gene for sickle pass these genes on to
their siblings, the child is then born with the disease. When one inherits only one gene,
the individual is said to have the trait and cannot later develop sickle cell anemia disease.
Carriers are as healthy as non-carriers and rarely have health problems related to the trait.
Because 10% of the Black population carry the gene for sickle cell, the disease is mis
interpreted as a Black man's disease. The National Institute of Health now encourages
everyone to be tested regardless of race for related blood disorders. Dr. Doris Wethers
of NIH said, "People may not know everything about their ancestry and what genes they
may have." The Institute concluded pain and suffering from the disease could be re
duced with early preventive treatment.
An estimated 150 children of sickle cell anemia die before age 3 in the United States
each year from pneumonia, meningitis or an overwhelming blood poisoning called sep
ticemia, caused by bacteria known as streptococcus pneu:-..w...-c. Others suffer brain
damage. Worldwide, the annual death toll is put at 18,000 to 20,000. Low doses of peni-
cillian pills taken twice daily can dramatically reduce death and serious infections in young
children with sickle cell anemia, and widespread use of this preventive technique could
save thousands of lives worldwide, according to new studies.
Dr. Marilyn Ceaston of the Federal National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is quoted
as saying, "W e like to think we have a chance of eliminating mortality."
About 1500 babies are born with sickle cell anemia each year and this is why screening
and especially newborn screening is urged, Mrs. Taylor, the Portland Sickle Cell Anemia
Foundation Executive Director stated. Dr. Fadulu's new treatment is just that, a treat
ment and must not be confused with a cure. However, it is one of the greatest dis
coveries of all times.
Mrs. Taylor said other races affected are people of Arabian, Greek, Maltese, Sicilian,
Sardian, Turkish, Southern Asia, Hispanics of Caribbean ancestry, Africans, West In
dians and some Caucasians.
New pamphlets, booklets and bookmarkers on sickle cell are now available at little or no
cost, such as: How to Help Your Child, Take It In Stride, Why Children with Sickle Cell
Anemia Should Attend Summer Camp, Parent/Teacher Guide (How parents and tea
chers can work together to achieve school success for children with Sickle Cell Anemia),
Fact Sheet on Hemoglobin C, Fact Sheet on Thalassemia, Pregnant Women Who Have
Sickle Cell Trait, and a few games, such as the Learning Game, & Home Study Kit and
others.
For free testing, information and counseling, please call 249 1366.