SCHAL-1SCA data

SHM and university researchers reported on the first stage of an ongoing Phase II study of SCHAL-1SCA in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Five patients with sickle cell anemia treated with oral clotrimazole showed reduced dehydration and sickling of red blood cells associated with the disease.

SCHAL-1SCA blocks a specific ion transport pathway, the Gardos channel, by which potassium ions and water move out of cells. SHM said the experiment is the first in vivo evidence that the Gardos channel causes dehydration of sickle erythrocytes, and that inhibiting it pharmacologically provides a realistic anti-sickling strategy. ...