Deferasirox Treatment Improved the Hemoglobin Level and Decreased Transfusion Requirements in Four Patients with the Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Primary Myelofibrosis. Adv Hematol. 2008;120:70-74. [PMID: 20672005 PMCID: PMC2905902 DOI: 10.1155/2010/756289]

Transfusion avoidance in myelodysplastic neoplasms

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are diseases of stem cell aging associated with complications from inadequate hematopoiesis (red cells, neutrophils and platelets) and variable risk for transformation to acute myeloid leukemia. Those with low-risk disease also suffer and die from MDS-related complications. Among the most challenging is development of anemia and transfusion dependence, which impacts quality of life and is associated with reduced survival. Appreciating and measuring the quality-of-life impact, preventing (if possible), treating, and managing the complications from anemia in MDS are of critical importance.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent developments in basic science highlight the potential deleterious impact of iron overload within the developing red cell niche. Iron overload can compromise red cell maturation from healthy as well as malignant clones and produces an environment favoring expansion of mutant clonal cells, potentially driving disease progression. Observational studies in nontransfusion dependent MDS highlight that iron overload occurs even in the nontransfusion dependent. The newly approved (and established) therapies for management of MDS-related anemia work best when begun before patients become heavily transfusion-dependent.

SUMMARY

Iron overload is detrimental to hematopoiesis. Understanding the benefit afforded by transfusion is critical to optimal application and patient reported outcomes can inform this. Recently developed therapies are active and optimized application may improve response.

Myelofibrosis: Prognostication and cytoreductive treatment

Myeloproliferative neoplasms include three diseases: polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), currently diagnosed according to the 2008 World Health Organization criteria. Patients with PMF may encounter many complications, and, among these, disease progression is the most severe. Concerning prognostication of Myelofibrosis (MF), the International Prognostic scoring system (IPSS) (International Prognostic Scoring System) model at diagnosis and the Dynamic IPSS (DIPSS) anytime during the course of the disease may be useful to define survival of MF patients. The IPSS and the DIPSS are based on age greater than 65 years, presence of constitutional symptoms, hemoglobin level less than 10 g/dL, leukocyte count greater than 25 × 10⁹/L, and circulating blast cells 1% or greater. Cytogenetic profile and mutational analysis seem to be the next step to implement MF prognostication. Concerning treatments, hydroxyurea has been considered until now the drug of choice when an anti-myeloproliferative effect is needed, but recent data on JAK inhibitors demonstrated a significant effect of these drugs on splenomegaly and symptoms.

A primary care approach to myelodysplastic syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are probably the most common hematologic malignancies in adults over the age of 60 and are a major source of morbidity and mortality among older age groups. Diagnosis and management of this chronic blood cancer has evolved significantly in recent years and there are Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies that can extend patients' life expectancy and improve quality of life. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often involved in the process of diagnosis and follow-up of MDS patients, especially those in low-risk groups. They can therefore play an important role in improving patient care and quality of life by ensuring early referral and participating in supportive management. There is also a shortage of oncologists which increases the importance of the role of PCPs in management of MDS patients. In the face of limited resources, PCPs can improve access and quality of care in MDS patients. This article provides an overview of the common manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic modalities of MDS for PCPs, with a focus on when to suspect MDS, when a referral is appropriate, and how to provide appropriate supportive care for patients diagnosed with MDS.

Review of therapeutic options and the management of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a poorly understood group of disorders caused by one or more genetic aberrations in the bone marrow-derived cell line responsible for hematopoiesis. Recent advances in genetic medicine have offered new insights into the epigenesis as well as the prognosis of MDS, but have not resulted in new or improved curative treatment options. Bone marrow transplantation, introduced before the advent of genetic medicine, is still the only potential cure. Advances in other medical and pharmaceutical areas have broadened the scope of supportive care and disease-modifying therapies, and treating physicians now have a broad range of disease management options depending on a patient's likely prognosis. There is now clear evidence that appropriate supportive care and therapeutic intervention can improve progression-free and overall survival of MDS patients.

Iron chelation therapy in myelodysplastic syndromes: where do we stand?

Anemia leading to transfusion dependency (TD) and iron overload (IO) is commonly observed in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In MDS, TD and IO have been retrospectively associated with inferior survival and worse clinical outcomes, including cardiac, hepatic and endocrine dysfunction, and, in some analyses, with leukemic progression and infectious complications. Although suggested by retrospective analyses, clear prospective documentation of the beneficial effects of iron chelation therapy (ICT) on organ function and survival in MDS patients with TD and IO is currently lacking. Consequently, the role of ICT in MDS patients with TD and IO remains a very controversial aspect in the management of MDS. In this review, the authors summarize the current knowledge regarding IO in MDS and the role of ICT.