Lower-Risk MDS: Treatment Goals and Options

EP: 1.Diagnosing Lower-Risk MDS

EP: 2.Classifying MDS: Updated WHO and ICC Guidelines

EP: 3.Risk Stratification Tools for MDS: IPSS, IPSS-R, IPSS-M

EP: 4.Importance of Early Detection and Unmet Needs in MDS

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EP: 5.Lower-Risk MDS: Treatment Goals and Options

EP: 6.Choosing Treatment for Lower-Risk MDS

EP: 7.Role of Stem Cell Transplant in MDS

EP: 8.MEDALIST: Clinical Implications in Lower-Risk MDS

EP: 9.Imetelstat and Canakinumab in Lower-Risk MDS

This is a video synopsis/summary of a Precision Medicine series featuring Hana Safah, MD, and Jamie Koprivnikar, MD. Safah and Koprivnikar discuss treatment goals and options for lower-risk patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who commonly present with anemia, including up to 40% with severe, transfusion-dependent disease. With median survival of 5 to 6 years, maximizing quality of life is paramount.

Minimum aims are avoiding transfusions and anemia symptoms to allow normal daily activities. Emerging data suggest newer agents like luspatercept may provide further benefits by reducing inflammatory signals and mutational burden.

First-line treatment selection depends on disease features. Lenalidomide is used for MDS with del(5q). Immunosuppressive therapy is chosen for higher erythropoietin levels, whereas erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are utilized when levels are under 500 mU/mL. Luspatercept was initially approved after erythropoiesis-stimulating agent failure but has been expanded as up-front therapy for transfusion-dependent, lower-risk MDS. Achieving transfusion independence may improve overall survival. Ongoing research should uncover more molecularly driven and patient-specific strategies.

Video synopsis is AI generated and reviewed by Targeted Oncology™ editorial staff.