Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2025

Characterization of Sickling During Controlled Automated Deoxygenation with Oxygen Gradient Ektacytometry
Published on: November 5, 2019
Osivelotor for the treatment of sickle cell disease
1Internal Medicine, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon, France.
Introduction:
Despite advances in the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited disorder leading to abnormal sickle hemoglobin (HbS) polymerization, patients continue to have a shorter life expectancy comparatively to the general population. Increase in the concentration of oxygenated HbS in red blood cells (RBCs) has been considered as a novel approach to inhibit HbS polymerization and reduce RBC sickling and their complications, raising interest for novel oxygen affinity modulators.
Areas Covered:
This review summarizes the characteristics and primary results obtained with osivelotor, a novel oxygen affinity modulator, for the treatment of SCD. Osivelotor is presented with improved pharmacokinetic properties comparatively to voxelotor. It may enable higher hemoglobin (Hb) occupancy at lower doses potentially leading to significant improvements of clinical outcomes.
Expert Opinion:
The first clinical phase 2/3 trial with osivelotor reported increases of Hb levels and RBC counts, and decrease of RBC sickling. The treatment was apparently well tolerated. However, osivelotor shares the same mechanism of action as voxelotor, and therefore similar limitations regarding its efficacy for which the improvement in Hb level appears misleading. Several issues remain to be resolved before considering any drug approval.
More Related Videos
07:24A Precision Medicine Tool for Measurement and Monitoring of Hemoglobin S in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Receiving Transfusion Therapy
05:23Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Treatment Resistant Cancers