Importance of Early Detection and Unmet Needs in MDS
Clinicians discuss the importance of early detection in patients with MDS as well as providing insights into some of the unmet needs in MDS, such as a better understanding of the role of molecular alterations and its specific impact in MDS.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a Precision Medicine series featuring Hana Safah, MD, and Jamie Koprivnikar, MD. Safah and Koprivnikar emphasize the importance of early detection and diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) to enable prompt risk stratification and personalized management. This allows patients with higher-risk disease to receive disease-modifying therapy and transplant referral. It also facilitates timely symptomatic treatment for lower-risk patients, optimizing quality of life and avoiding transfusion-related complications.
They note primary care provider education is needed to facilitate earlier referrals prior to greater disease burden. Additional unmet needs include harmonization between MDS classification systems to standardize clinical trial eligibility and insurance approvals. More molecularly targeted interventions should also be explored rather than blanket use of hypomethylating agents or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.
Ongoing research into distinct molecular subpopulations may uncover innovative combination strategies beyond current options. However, significant progress has occurred and further improvements in risk-adapted care continue for this predominantly older patient population.
Video synopsis is AI generated and reviewed by Targeted Oncology™ editorial staff.
