Managing patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndrome with stable disease on hypomethylating agents

Abstract

Patients with higher-risk MDS have an abysmal survival record and should be started immediately on therapy, the most common of which being the hypomethylating agents, azacitidine or decitabine. Patients achieving a complete or partial response or hematologic improvement have been shown in two separate studies to have an improved overall survival compared to no response. Patients with stable disease at 4–6 months of therapy have an improved survival compared to those with disease progression and a 20% likelihood of an improved subsequent response. These patients can be continued on therapy or considered for clinical trials.

Keywords::

• Myelodysplastic syndrome
• trial
• high risk

Acknowledgments

Dr Sekeres is supported, in part, by funding from the Edward P. Evans Foundation and serves on Advisory Boards for Celgene, Corp and Amgen, Corp.

Potential conflict of interest

A disclosure form provided by the author is available with the full text of this article at www.informahealthcare.com/lal