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Bluebird Sickle Cell Gene Therapy Hangs In Balance

Company Probes Causes Of Blood Cancers

 
• By Alaric DeArment

The company will likely have its answer in a matter of weeks, but a link to the vector would be a “worst-case scenario.” 

Sickle cell anemia, 3D illustration showing blood vessel with normal and deformated crescent-like red blood cells
Bluebird is looking into potential causes of two cases of hematological cancers in its study of LentiGlobin for sickle cell disease • Source: Shutterstock

The exact cause of two cases of hematological malignancies that developed in patients taking part in bluebird bio’s Phase I/II study of LentiGlobin in sickle cell disease (SCD) remains unclear, though the ramifications could affect not just commercialization of this gene therapy but the lentiviral vector platform overall, as well as the company’s plans to spin off its oncology business and remain focused on gene therapy.

Cambridge, MA-based bluebird said on 16 February that last week, it received reports that a patient taking part in the...

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