In this fifth interview Dr. Eduardo Salido Fiérrez (Erythropathologist at Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcian Health Service) - Murcian Institute of Biosanitary Research IMIB-FFIS (Spain) shares his clinical perspective and gives a glimpse into what a doctor's day is like when treating diseases such as congenital anemia.

Murcian Health Service participates as Affiliated Entity of FFIS-IMIB partner in the NANEMIAR project.

Hi, Eduardo! Thank you very much for accepting our invitation to this interview.

FIRST, WHAT ARE CONGENITAL ANEMIAS?
“Congenital anemias are a group of rare inherited blood disorders where the body is unable to produce enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to chronic anemia from birth or early childhood. They vary widely in severity, underlying cause, and treatment options.”

DO YOU THINK THERE ARE ENOUGH TREATMENTS FOR CONGENITAL ANEMIAS?
“Definitely not, treatment options for congenital anemias are still limited, and many come with significant challenges. Current treatments include: Blood trasfusión, Iron chelation, hydroxyurea, and in some cases bone marrow transplantation. “

WHAT IS THE WORSE YOU SEE IN YOUR DAILY WITH YOUR PATIENTS?
“The most difficult aspect is that these are children or young patients who often have very limited curative treatment options. In many cases, we can only provide regular transfusions and manage any complications that occur. While chelation therapy and current standards of care allow many of them to reach adulthood, their overall life expectancy remains reduced.”

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK IN THE FIELD OF ERYTHROPATHOLOGY?

“Although it’s a field I’ve always liked, the truth is I didn’t actively choose to work in it. Unfortunately, in Spain, there are certain areas within our specialty that have been somewhat neglected by hematologists themselves, and this is one of them. Throughout my professional career, I’ve often ended up working in areas that others didn’t want to take on—and that’s how I ended up here. Today, I’m glad to have brought visibility to these patients, to have secured clinical trials for them, and to be involved in important research studies such as NANEMIAR.”

WHAT MEAN FOR YOU STUDIES LIKE NANEMIAR?
“The NANEMIAR study represents an innovative approach to the treatment of congenital anemias, and we feel privileged that this project originated at IMIB in Murcia, led by Dr. Ana Belén Pérez Oliva.”

Source of information: NANEMIAR project