Department of Benign Hematology

At City of Hope, we know how challenging it is when your child is diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening blood disorder. That is why our program offers both outstanding medical treatment and supportive care to young patients and their families before, during and after diagnosis. 

Our hemophilia and sickle cell comprehensive care programs have earned Center of Excellence designations from California Children’s Services. We are also a regional referral center for many of the benign blood disorders we treat, and we provide support to hospitals and physicians in the area, nationally and internationally.

When you come to City of Hope, you are surrounded by leading medical professionals with access to the latest treatment options to give your child the best care possible. Our multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and other health professionals have decades of experience in treating patients with inherited coagulation disorders and red blood cell disorders. 

We provide comprehensive care for infants, children, adolescents and young adults with:

  • Hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease
  • Platelet abnormalities, including ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), other thrombocytopenias and platelet dysfunction
  • Disorders of hemostasis and thrombosis
  • Sickle cell disease and other red blood cell abnormalities
  • Nonmalignant hematologic disorders
  • Bone marrow and neutrophil disorders, including aplastic anemia, storage diseases and neutropenia

 

GENETIC TESTING

Given the hereditary nature of these conditions, we offer genetic testing, including carrier testing and counseling. We meet with the family after diagnosis to discuss the chances of having other children with a blood disorder, and we educate children in an age appropriate manner.

 

CURRENT CLINICAL TRIALS

Our physicians and researchers are leading studies to find better treatments for patients with inherited blood disorders. 

City of Hope is currently partnering with Sangamo to conduct a groundbreaking gene therapy study for hemophilia A and B patients. Both studies are enrolling now, and are open to men who:

  • Have severe hemophilia A or B and are free of inhibitory antibodies
  • Have no history of an allergic reaction to factors VIII or IX (FIX) products
  • Are at least 18 years old

Current patients with severe hemophilia are often subjected to frequent infusions with expensive factor products. This groundbreaking treatment could potentially spare them this rigorous treatment schedule.