First Patient to Receive Groundbreaking Sickle Cell Gene Therapy Leaves Hospital

A 12-year-old boy named Kendric Cromer, who became the first patient to undergo newly approved gene therapy for sickle cell disease, has been discharged from the hospital. Cromer received the pioneering treatment at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., and spent 44 days there before leaving the facility on Monday, according to reports from the New York Times.

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. The condition affects about 100,000 people in the United States, often leading to severe pain, organ damage, and other complications. Until recently, those living with the disease faced a life of continuous medical challenges, with no cure in sight.

However, in December 2023, hope arrived for sickle cell patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two advanced gene therapies designed to address the root cause of the disease. These therapies include a $3.1 million treatment from Bluebird Bio and a $2.2 million option developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Both therapies offer patients the potential to permanently change the genetic mutation that causes sickle cell disease, giving them a chance at a life free from its painful symptoms.

Reflecting on his journey, Kendric Cromer shared how the disease had shaped his life before the gene therapy became available. “I thought I would have sickle cell for the rest of my life,” he said, expressing hope for a brighter future now that he has undergone the treatment.

The decision to pursue the therapy was challenging for Cromer’s family, who weighed their options carefully before moving forward. His parents described the emotional and physical toll the process took on their family, admitting that it was even more difficult than they had anticipated.

“We knew it would be hard, but it was harder than we could have imagined,” Kendric’s mother explained, highlighting the stress and uncertainty that accompanied the groundbreaking treatment.

Despite the challenges, Kendric’s departure from the hospital marks a significant milestone in the fight against sickle cell disease, offering hope to thousands of other patients who may benefit from the new gene therapies. The success of Kendric’s treatment signals a new era in which gene therapy can potentially transform lives by addressing the genetic root of the disease.

Experts believe that these therapies could change the future for those with sickle cell, turning what was once a lifelong burden into a condition that can be managed—and potentially cured. For Kendric and his family, this new medical frontier represents a chance for a healthier, more hopeful future.

As Kendric continues his recovery outside the hospital, the impact of this breakthrough will be closely watched by the medical community and families affected by sickle cell disease. For now, Kendric’s story is one of resilience and hope, as he and many others look forward to a life with less pain and more possibilities.