The MDS Beacon™

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will be holding its 45th annual meeting in Orlando from May 29 to June 2. Myelodysplastic syndromes is just one of many oncological diseases covered at this year’s meeting.

More than 30,000 attendees are expected this year, and over 4,000 presentations and posters have been submitted from around the world. A wide variety of scientific and educational sessions are planned, with emphasis on promotion of cutting edge cancer treatment, prevention, and control.

This year’s ASCO meeting has a number of sessions dedicated to myelodysplatic syndromes. Currently, 35 MDS-related abstracts are available for preview. The MDS Beacon will be providing news coverage of key presentations on MDS.

In addition, ASCO has compiled itineraries for a variety of specialties. Those interested in MDS will find relevant sessions in the Leukemia, Myelodysplasia, and Transplantation itinerary found here (PDF). A few key seminars are highlighted below.

On Friday May 29th, an educational session will be held with a focus on when and how to treat MDS. Topics include classifications of MDS and allogenetic stem cell transplants in older patients.

On Saturday May 30th, a general Leukemia, Myleodysplasia and Transplantation poster session will be held. Several posters relevant to MDS will be presented including the impact of Vidaza (azacitidine) on post-transplantation patients.

Also on Saturday May 30th, a clinical problem session will discuss supportive care controversies in hematology, the study of blood diseases. Dr. Azra Raza will present about transfusion-associated iron overload and its implications in MDS treatment.

More information about the ASCO meeting, including registration forms, access to abstract, itineraries, and symposia information, can be found at the ASCO Web site.