Fewer serious complications. Fewer hospitalizations and blood transfusions. Better growth and development. And a markedly lower risk of death from the complications of sickle cell anemia.

Stem cell transplantation is the most cost-effective option for long-term care of sickle cell disease in adults when compared with gene therapy and standard of care treatment, according to new research published in Blood .

The analysis is the first to directly compare the value of all three treatment options, finding that the cost of gene therapy needs to be 66% to 71% lower than previously determined to have a competitive value for price.