Gillian Losh's Archive

info@mdsbeacon.com

 Gillian is currently a Lehigh University sophomore working towards her B.A. in Journalism and a minor in International Relations. She joined The MDS Beacon team in August 2009 as a writer and an editor. She is originally from Chicago, and her interests include writing, reading, traveling, and volunteering.

Gillian Losh has written 26 article(s).

Personal Perspective: College Professor Keeps Busy While Living With Myelodysplastic Syndromes
[ by Gillian Losh | Jul 16, 2010 10:57 am | No Comments ]
Personal Perspective: College Professor Keeps Busy While Living With Myelodysplastic Syndromes

When Carl Riegel was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndromes in 2006, one of his main concerns was his children.

“I was starting my second batch of kids,” said Riegel, 63. “I really wasn’t planning on checking out early.”

Riegel has a 10 year old daughter, as well as a daughter who is 34 and a son who is 32 from his first marriage. With the prospect of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) looming, Riegel said he and his wife took the news very…

Read the full story »
Vidaza Improves Survival in Elderly Myelodysplastic Syndromes Patients
[ by Gillian Losh | May 24, 2010 10:00 am | No Comments ]
Vidaza Improves Survival in Elderly Myelodysplastic Syndromes Patients

Vidaza (azacitidine) improves survival compared to conventional care regimens in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients who are 75 years or older, according to an analysis performed by researchers on an earlier Phase 3 clinical trial.

Researchers concluded that age alone should not be the deciding factor for treatment choice and that more elderly patients should be considered for targeted chemotherapies, such as Vidaza.

Elderly MDS patients generally have limited treatment options due to other age-related diseases, functional impairment, and poor…

Read the full story »
Personal Perspective: Vietnam Vet Fights Myelodysplastic Syndromes To Spend More Time Outside
[ by Gillian Losh | May 20, 2010 9:19 am | One Comment ]
Personal Perspective: Vietnam Vet Fights Myelodysplastic Syndromes To Spend More Time Outside

Bob Macfarlane, currently 65 years old, has never been afraid of a good fight.

Whether from his time fighting in the Vietnam War or teaching students the fundamentals of computer science and mathematics over 40 years as an adjunct professor at numerous Florida universities, Macfarlane is a man who is not afraid to confront tough situations. This includes his diagnosis with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

It was May 2001 when Macfarlane’s private doctor first told him there might be something wrong.…

Read the full story »
Immunosuppressants May Increase Responsiveness To Erythropoietin In Anemic Myelodysplastic Syndromes Patients
[ by Gillian Losh | Apr 13, 2010 4:04 pm | No Comments ]
Immunosuppressants May Increase Responsiveness To Erythropoietin In Anemic Myelodysplastic Syndromes Patients

Immunosuppressant agents may increase responsiveness of anemic, low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients to treatment with erythropoietin (EPO). Additionally, immunosuppressant agents may decrease transfusion dependency, according to a study published in Haematologica.

Anemia is common in low-risk MDS and is usually treated with transfusions, but MDS patients who are transfusion dependent typically have poor survival. EPO is a hormone used to treat anemia in MDS by promoting the production of red blood cells. EPO and other growth factors have been shown…

Read the full story »
Page 1 of 712345»...Last »