Results of study of improved treatment for sickle cell disease to be released

Researchers will announce the latest results of a national cooperative study of sickle cell disease, the leading genetic illness among U.S. blacks, Tuesday, Nov. 6. The briefing will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the General Clinical Research Center’s conference room on the third floor of UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Drs. Eugene P. Orringer, professor of medicine and executive associate dean of medicine, and Kenneth I. Ataga, instructor in medicine, will describe the study. The research shows a novel compound can reduce the length of the severe, painful episodes (or crises) that people with sickle cell disease suffer. A report on the findings will appear in the Nov. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Forty U.S. medical centers participated in the study, which the UNC group led.

TV crews can unload equipment near the main entrance of UNC Hospitals and then park in the hospital parking deck. Using the valet parking service in front of the hospital will save time, however. The General Clinical Research Center is located on the third floor almost directly above the hospital’s main entrance. -

Contacts: David Williamson, (919) 962-8596, and Karen Moon (broadcast), 962-8595

News Briefing
Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
General Clinical Research Center
Third Floor, UNC Hospitals
Chapel Hill

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