Description:
Myelodysplastic Neoplasms (MDS) represent a heterogeneous cohort of myeloid malignancies hallmarked by dysplasia of the bone marrow, peripheral blood cytopenias and propensity for transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). There have been transformative changes in the diagnostic and molecular classification of patients with MDS as well as more personalized prognostic discrimination based on the underlying molecular landscape. Importantly, there has been significant insight into the underlying pathobiology of these patients which has identified additional therapeutic targets. There have been new approvals and positive phase 3 studies for patients with lower risk MDS but we have continued to not have a change in the standard of care for higher risk MDS patients. Dr. Rena Xian will discuss updates in classification including recent WHO and ICC classifications as well as how molecular annotation of patients can refine prognosis with the molecular IPSS (IPSS-M). Dr. Marie Sebert will discuss the current treatment algorithm of patients with lower risk MDS as well as will highlight novel therapies under investigation to both ameliorate cytopenias and/or provide disease modification in patients with lower risk MDS. Dr. David Sallman will discuss the historical lessons we have learned from past failed randomized studies in higher risk MDS and cover the current ongoing randomized efforts to improve upon the standard of care of azacitidine for higher risk MDS patients.