Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have found Campath (alemtuzumab) to be an effective treatment to increase low blood cell counts in Intermediate-1 myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. The findings were presented yesterday at the 51st annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans.
In MDS, developing blood cells fail to properly mature, resulting in a lower than normal number of healthy blood cells (a condition known as cytopenia).
Immunosuppressive agents like ATG and cyclosporine can…
European researchers have found during a Phase 2 study that Revlimid (lenalidomide) produces an improved chromosomal response in High-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. The results were presented today at the 51st annual American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting.
Revlimid has already been used with Low- or Intermediate-1 risk MDS subtypes, especially those who require red blood cell transfusions or have del-5q, as it produces a high rate of transfusion independence and improved chromosomal abnormalities.
Patients with del-5q are missing the…
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is currently accepting input from the public about whether the Medicare program should be expanded to cover the cost of bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients. Submissions can be made on the CMS Web site through December 10.
Medicare coverage of bone marrow transplants, the only known curative treatment for MDS, is important because 80 percent of MDS patients are 65 or older. MDS patients typically…
Experts will discuss the latest research for various blood diseases, including myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), at the 51st annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH). The meeting will begin December 5 and run until December 8 in New Orleans.
The four-day exposition is an opportunity for blood disease specialists to share new research, network, and discuss the “next 50 years” of hematology. A variety of presentations and posters will detail the latest advances in blood disease prevention, care, treatment, and…