Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Novel Management Strategies for Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes display a high degree of heterogeneity, making it difficult to establish a standard of care for patients.

Reduced Transfusion Burden With Luspatercept in Anemia From Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Transfusion independence for at least 8 weeks was observed in 38% of patients receiving luspatercept compared with 13% of patients receiving placebo.

Age Does Not Affect Transplant Outcomes Among Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Rates of nonrelapse mortality and 3-year overall survival were similar between patients 55 to 64 years old and patients 65 years or older who underwent transplantation.

Iron Chelation Therapy May Improve Overall Survival in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

Jonathan Goodman, MPhil

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether iron chelation therapy leads to improved overall and leukemia-free survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome.

Factors Influencing Survival After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Transfusion dependence, very high-risk cytogenetics, and high serum ferritin were identified as risk factors for death in a multivariable analysis.

An Algorithm for Predicting Resistance to Hypomethylating Agents Using Genomic Biomarkers

By

Vicki Moore, PhD

Researchers identified 8 combinations of genes that could be used to predict whether a patient will respond to treatment with hypomethylating agents.

Outcomes Based on HSCT Conditioning Regimen for Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes

By

Vicki Moore, PhD

Nonmyeloablative conditioning was associated with increased nonrelapse mortality and shorter overall survival compared with reduced-intensity conditioning.

Androgen Therapy in Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Can Result in Hematologic Improvement

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

Patients who received androgen therapy demonstrated improvements in erythroid, platelet, and neutrophil measures.

Prognostic Factors After Second Allogeneic HSCT in Patients With Relapsed Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

The rate of 5-year overall survival in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome who underwent second allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 25.3%.

Immunomodulatory Treatment Approaches for Myelodysplastic Syndromes

By

Roxanne Nelson, RN, BSN

A variety of immune pathways mediate the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes, suggesting that the immune system may be a feasible therapeutic target.

Intensive Chemotherapy May Be Beneficial for Younger Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

Lauren Dembeck, PhD

Compared with hypomethylating agents, intensive chemotherapy was associated with higher overall response and complete remission rates.

EBV Reactivation After Transplant Associated With Worse Clinical Outcomes in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

Patients who experienced reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus also experienced inferior relapse-free survival and increased incidence of relapse.

No Correlation Between SF3B1 Mutation in Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Overall Survival

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology indicated there was no association between mutations in SF3B1 and overall survival (OS) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Mutations in the SF3B1 gene are the most common mutations in MDS, though the prognostic implications of these mutations are unclear. In this…

Prolonged-Release Anagrelide May Be Safe and Efficacious Against Thrombocythemia

By

Vicki Moore, PhD

Prolonged-release administration of anagrelide resulted in a noninferior decrease in mean platelet levels compared with immediate-release administration.

Treating Myelodysplastic Syndrome After Failure of Hypomethylating Agents: Options Remain Limited

By

Roxanne Nelson, RN, BSN

There is a pressing need to develop novel therapeutic strategies for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome who are ineligible for transplantation.

Proposed Updates to Treatment Response Criteria for Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndromes

By

Sonali Gattani

The current set of standardized treatment response criteria was most recently revised in 2006 and had many shortcomings when applied to clinical trials.

Eltrombopag Plus Azacitidine May Lead to Worse Survival in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

Sonali Gattani

Up to 65% of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome experience comorbid thrombocytopenia.

Immunosuppressive Therapy May Predict Improved Survival in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

By

Sonali Gattani

Immunosuppressive therapy is used sparingly due to the operational challenges in administration and prediction of patient benefit.

Mutations After Transplant in Myelodysplastic Syndrome May Correlate With Progressed Disease

By

Megan Garlapow, PhD

The presence of persistent disease-related mutations 30 days after ASCT for myelodysplastic syndrome was associated with higher risk of disease progression.

Myeloablative Conditioning Effective in AML Secondary to MDS/MPN Prior to Allogeneic HCT

By

James Nam, PharmD

In the EBMT ALWP study, researchers sought to determine the efficacy of myeloablative conditioning to reduce the risk for post allogeneic HCT in patients with sAML without significantly increasing non-relapse mortality.

Lurbinectedin a Possible Option for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

James Nam, PharmD

A phase 1 dose-finding study determined which of 2 lurbinectedin dosing schedules had greater effectiveness and fewer AEs in patients with relapsed/refractory MDS or AML.

MDS, AML a Risk With PARP Inhibitors in BRCA Mutation Carriers

By

Lisa A. Thompson, PharmD, BCOP

What is the concern behind PARP inhibitors and leukemia?

Alcohol May Reduce Risk of Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

James Nam, PharmD

Smoking may slightly increase the risk for myelodysplastic syndromes, but alcohol consumption may be significantly protective against MDS.

DSP-7888 Granted Orphan Drug Status for Myelodysplastic Syndrome

By

James Nam, PharmD

The US Food and Drug Administration granted orphan drug designation to DSP-7888 for myelodysplastic syndrome.

Reduced-intensity Conditioning for Stem Cell Transplantation Effective in MDS

By

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

The results of this study suggest that RIC may be an alternative to MAC, particularly for patients of low cytogenetic risk.

Complex Karyotype, TP53 Mutations Associated With HCT Outcomes in Myelodysplasia

By

Andrea S. Blevins Primeau, PhD, MBA

Based on the results of this study, an alternative to HCT should be considered for patients with CK and mutations in TP53 or the RAS pathway.

Eltrombopag for Lower-risk MDS With Severe Thrombocytopenia

By

Jason Hoffman, PharmD, RPh

Eltrombopag was well-tolerated, significantly raised platelet counts, and reduced bleeding events among patients with MDS and severe thrombocytopenia.