Immunosuppressive Therapy: Exploring an Underutilized Treatment Option for Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Conclusion IST has a hematologic improvement response rate in the range of other therapies approved for lower risk MDS. High risk IPSS-R, poor karyotype, and treatment after 2 years from diagnosis have unfavorable response trend. ATG with CSA has higher response than ATG alone. First-line ATG or after lenalidomide had better response trend compared to third-line therapy or azacitidine therapy. Micro-Abstract Immunosuppresive therapy in low risk myelodysplastic syndrome can achieve sustained hematologic improvement but is underutilized due to lack of selection criteria. We completed a retrospective analysis of sixty-six patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy to investigate treatment outcome and clinical co-variables that influence response. Overall hematologic improvement was 42%, comparable to other treatment options for lower risk MDS. The response rate was higher in low risk disease, treated early on in the disease process with immunosuppressive therapy as the first line treatment.
Source: Clinical Lymphoma Myeloma and Leukemia - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research