A considerable number of people around the world suffer from anemia. The anemia can be caused by various reasons. One of them is Sickle Cell Disease anemia, which was considered incurable. But, the scientists have been able to cure a teenager patient for the first time in the world, according to the reports in media.

The researchers have treated a teenager’s sickle cell anemia by new gene-editing treatment successfully.

In Sickle Cell Disease, defective blood cells are created by body’s bone marrow, which are in the shape of a sickle. Normally, cells are in a shape of sphere. What is more, the sickle-shaped cells cause blockage of  blood flow throughout the body. It results in extreme pain to the patient. Sickle cell disease affects people around the world to a large extend.

The patient who received the break through therapy is said to have no disease-inflicted damage on his internal organs which needed blood transfusion while on medication every month.

The research was conducted by the doctors at the Necker Children’s Hospital in Paris. They first drained out the bone marrow of the teenage patient.  Then the marrow was “infected” with a virus containing genetic instructions for manufacturing healthy red blood cells, in place of incorrect cells which blocked flow of blood.

When this modified bone marrow was infused into the teenager body more than a year ago, he was able to discontinue medication. Further, he has not shown any symptoms of sickle cell disease after the treatment.

Though the test was successful, the doctors have not called it a “cure” as some more tests are required to be conducted. Still, the achievement has given hope for millions of patients suffering from the Sickle Cell Disease anemia around the world.