Results of a recent study suggest that intravenous administration of busulfan in preparation for a stem cell transplant reduces both the frequency and severity of mouth ulcers in myelodysplastic syndromes patients after the transplant.

However, the authors of study pointed out that more studies are needed to confirm their findings.

In myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), the bone marrow produces stem cells that are unable to properly develop and mature.

The only potentially curative therapy that is currently available is donor (allogeneic) stem cell transplantation. In this procedure, the patient receives bone…

A long-term study of donor stem cell transplantation using busulfan, cytosine arabinoside, and cyclophosphamide as a preparative regimen in myelodysplastic syndromes patients resulted in durable relapse-free and overall survival.

The researchers also found that donor relation, the age of the patient, and the category of MDS were associated with improved relapse-free survival. 

Based on their findings, they suggested that younger patients with higher-risk disease receive more aggressive treatment, such as the regimen investigated in their study.

Several therapies are available for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients, but donor stem cell transplantation…