Treatment of low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes / 白血病·淋巴瘤

ABSTRACT

New progress of treatment of low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) reported in the 58th American Socienty of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meetings was reviewed. Anemia is a single common symptom of low-risk MDS, and erythropoietic-stimulating agents (ESA) may be effective. The dose and duration of erythropoietic-stimulating agents (ESA) are critical to determine efficacy. If the treatment of ESA failed, the available options may include lenalidomide (approved for del5q positive cases), hypomethylating agents and a rather large number of experimental agents. The choice for the second-line treatment must consider the biologic, cytogenetic and molecular-identified characteristics of individual patient, as well as frailty and comorbidities. Other cytopenias rarely appear alone. Thrombomimetic agents for thrombocytopenia has been proposed in clinical trials, but there were some safety issues. Although neutropenia is targeted symptomatically with growth factor supportive care, the immunosuppressive therapy is indicated mainly for pancytopenic and hypoplastic low-risk MDS. Finally, hematopoietic stem cell transplantion is the curative option also for low-risk MDS, but it should be carefully evaluated to balancing toxicity and the possibility of survival advantage.