Latest news with #Thalassaemia
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
BITS Pilani, Hyderabad develops plant-based cure for Thalassaemia, Sickle Cell Anaemia
Hyderabad: Researchers at the BITS Pilani , Hyderabad, have developed a plant-based drug formulation that could offer more affordable treatment for iron overload, a condition common in patients with Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia . The new formulation, tested successfully on rats and mice, uses compounds found in plants to remove excess iron from the body and does so using a much lower dosage than the standard treatment available in the market today. Published in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, the study explains how the team combined caffeic acid, a naturally occurring compound, with amino acids to create two formulations: Caffeic Acid–Spermine (CA-Sp) and Caffeic Acid–Histidine (CA-His). "When compared with the current drug in use, CA-Sp required just one-fifth of the dosage to remove excess iron," said department of biological sciences professor Jayati Ray Dutta. She worked on the project along with Ramakrishnan Ganesan from the department of chemistry. Researchers pointed out that even though the treatment duration was kept the same for comparison, the new drug showed better iron removal and lower toxicity. "We tested for liver inflammation and found that our drug performed better than the standard one," Dutta said. Apart from effectiveness, the formulation also scores high on affordability. "The current drug costs about 300 per dose. Our plant-based formulation could cut the cost by more than 50%," she added. The researchers used the natural iron-binding ability of polyphenols and paired them with compounds known as biogenic amines, which are commonly found in nature. "This is a step forward in developing green, affordable therapies for transfusion-dependent patients. It has the potential to transform iron overload treatment, not just in India but globally," said Ganesan. Iron overload is a growing concern in India, especially among patients with Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia who depend on frequent blood transfusions. Left untreated, excess iron can severely damage the liver, heart, and endocrine system, they added and pointed out that India is home to over 100,000 Thalassaemia patients, many of whom require perpetual iron chelation therapy (ICT) to manage iron toxicity.
New Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Thalassaemia Day: Delhi speaker Gupta calls for support to patients
NEW DELHI: Delhi Legislative Assembly on Thursday observed International Thalassaemia Day with a special awareness event. On the occasion, Assembly Speaker called for unity, prevention and support for Thalassaemia patients. The event was held at the Delhi Legislative Assembly Premises, organised in collaboration with the National Thalassaemia Welfare Society. Guided by this year's global theme, 'Together for Thalassemia: Uniting communities, prioritising patients,' the event underscored the urgency of unified action. In his address, Gupta reiterated the significance of the occasion, stating, 'Let today not be just a remembrance, but a renewed commitment to prevention, awareness, and support.' Gupta paid tribute to the unwavering strength of thalassaemia patients and their families, whom he described as beacons of courage and inspiration. India bears the heaviest global burden of thalassaemia, with more than 50 million carriers and an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 children born annually with thalassaemia major. While bone marrow transplantation remains the only known permanent cure, it is prohibitively expensive and dependent on donor availability—rendering it inaccessible to most patients. In the absence of curative options, affected individuals rely on lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy, often costing up to Rs 2 lakh per year.
The Print
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Print
Delhi Vidhan Sabha to be illuminated in red on International Thalassaemia Day
The Vidhan Sabha will be illuminated with red light to create awareness, it said. The National Thalassaemia Welfare Society will observe International Thalassaemia Day with a special awareness event conducted in collaboration with the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Thursday, said a statement from the Assembly Secretariat. New Delhi, May 6 (PTI) The historical Delhi Vidhan Sabha will be illuminated with red light on International Thalassaemia Day on May 8 to spread awareness about the disease, Speaker Vijender Gupta said on Tuesday. The event will be attended by Speaker Gupta, along with Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh and National Commission for Backward Classes Chairman Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, it said. A conference on Thalassaemia awareness will be organised, followed by a symbolic gesture as part of the global 'Bring Thal to Light' campaign by the Thalassaemia International Federation. 'The Assembly building will be illuminated in red in the evening to raise awareness and express solidarity with thalassaemia patients around the world,' the statement said. The theme this year — Together for Thalassaemia: Uniting Communities, Prioritising Patients — calls for collective action in prevention, early diagnosis and sustained patient care to tackle the disease. PTI VIT VIT RUK RUK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
